Purification of hyaluronidase from human placenta.

Hyaluronidase [EC 3.2.1.35] was isolated from human placenta and purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and gel filtration on Sephadex G-150. Its isoelectric point was at pH 5.2 and the molecular weight was 7 X 10(4) based on Sephadex G-200 gel filtration data. This enzyme was very stable at temperatures below 30 degree, but was almost completely inactivated at 60degree within 30 min. Its optimum pH was 3.9, a characteristic property of a lysosomal hyaluronidase. The Michaelis constant was 1.18 x 10(-1) mg per ml with purified hyaluronate. This enzyme depolymerized hyaluronate, chondroitin, chondroitin 4-sulfate and 6-sulfate, and the end product formed from hyaluronate was tetrasaccharide. Its biological diffusing activity was statistically significant on intracutaneous injection of 1.86 mU of the hyaluronidase into the back skine of a rabbit.     

A simple radioimmunoassay for estriol 3-sulfate in pregnancy plasma without deconjugation

A highly specific anti-estriol 3-sulfate antiserum was treated with 50% ammonium sulfate, and the crude globulin fraction was coupled to CNBr-activated Sepharose-4B. Addition of 0.1M Tris-HC1 buffer (pH 8.3) containing 0.1M glutamine to the solution of antigen-antibody enabled assaying without solvent-extraction or chromatography to remove endogenous interference. Subsequently, a direct radioimmunoassay using [6,7-3H]-estriol 3-sulfate as a radioactive ligand without deconjugation has been established and applied to the determination of estriol 3-sulfate levels in pregnancy plasma. The increasing plasma levels of estriol 3-sulfate are correlated with estriol levels over the period of gestation. The mean values of sulfated estriol concentration (A) in late pregnancy plasma were approximately 7 times as high as unconjugated estriol (B), but individual ratios of A to B showed considerable variability.     

Selective depolymerisation of dermatan sulfate: production of radiolabelled substrates for alpha-L-iduronidase, sulfoiduronate sulfatase, and beta-D-glucuronidase

Radiolabelled disaccharide substrates for alpha-L-iduronidase, beta-D-glucuronidase, and sulfoiduronate sulfatase have been prepared from dermatan sulfate by application in sequence of N-deacetylation, deaminative cleavage, and reduction with NaBT4. The yield of disaccharides was approximately 87% of the total oligosaccharide fraction. Five disaccharides were isolated and tentatively identified. The major disaccharide, O-(alpha-L-idopyranosyluronic acid)-(1 leads to 3)-2,5-anhydro-D-[1-3H]talitol 4-sulfate (IdoA-anT4S), represented approximately 75% of the total disaccharide fraction. The other disaccharides were O-(alpha-L-idopyranosyluronic acid 2-sulfate)-(1 leads to 3)-2,5-anhydro-D-[1-3H]talitol 4-sulfate (IdoA2S-anT4S), O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1 leads to 3)-2,5-anhydro-D-[1-3H]talitol 4-sulfate (GlcA-anT4S), O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1 leads to 3)-2,5-anhydro-D-[1-3H]talitol 6-sulfate (GlcA-anT6S), and O-(alpha-L-idopyranosyluronic acid)-(1 leads to 3)-2,5-anhydro-D-[1-3H]talitol (IdoA-anT), which represented approximately 4.5, 11.2, 1.0, and 1.8%, respectively, of the total disaccharide fraction. When incubated with cultured skin-fibroblasts from normal controls, IdoA-anT4S was shown to be a sensitive substrate for alpha-L-iduronidase to produce 2,5-anhydro-D-talitol 4-sulfate (anT4S). Activity toward IdoA-anT4S was not observed with fibroblast homogenates from alpha-L-iduronidase-deficient patients (Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I). Similarly, normal-fibroblast homogenates degraded GlcA-anT6S to anT6S, and GlcA-anT4S to anT4S, at a rate 6 to 8 times greater than found for fibroblasts from beta-D-glucuronidase-deficient patients (Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII). IdoA-anT4S was hydrolysed by alpha-L-iduronidase at a rate 365 times greater than that for IdoA-anT. Sulfation of the anhydro-D-[1-3H]talitol residues is an important structural determinant in the mechanism of action of alpha-L-iduronidase on disaccharide substrates. IdoA2S-anT4S was degraded to IdoA-anT4S and then to anT4S by normal-fibroblast homogenates, whereas fibroblasts from alpha-L-iduronidase-deficient and sulfoiduronate sulfatase-deficient (Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II) patients produced considerably decreased levels of anT4s and IdoA-anT4S (and anT4S), respectively.     

Synthesis and hydrolysis of cholesteryl esters by isolated rat-liver lysosomes and cell-free extracts of human lung fibroblasts

The objective of this study was to examine and characterize the cholesteryl ester synthesizing [S] and hydrolyzing [H] properties of the acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase (acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase), both in isolated rat liver lysosomes and in cell-free extracts from cultured fibroblasts. For both liver lysosomes and fibroblasts extracts, the major synthesizing activity was found around pH 4 and did not require exogenous ATP. The rate of hydrolysis was measured at pH 4.5. Several different inhibitors were used in order to characterize the reactions. Ammonium chloride did not markedly affect the activity of acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase at pH 4 [S] or 4.5 [H], whereas chloroquine was a potent inhibitor of acid CEase in both liver lysosomes and fibroblast extracts. The [S] activity of the acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase in either material was not affected by the acylCoA:cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor Compound 58-035 from Sandoz. Progesterone, on the other hand, which is an often used acylCoA:cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor, markedly blocked both activities of the acid CEase. Our results indicate that the lysosomal compartment of both studied tissues, in addition to hydrolysis activity, also have a significant esterification activity. It appears that both activities are carried out by the same enzyme.     

Absence of covalently linked core protein from newly synthesized hyaluronate.

1. Primary cultures of chondrocytes from the Swarm rat chondrosarcoma were labelled with either [3H]glucosamine or [14C]glucosamine, and hyaluronate synthesized by the cells was isolated from the cell layer. Parallel cultures were labelled with either [3H]serine or [3H]lysine, and identical fractions were isolated from the cell layer. Some cultures were dual-labelled. 2. In cultures labelled with [3H]serine for between 30 min and 24 h and extracted with 4.0 M-guanidine, a procedure that solubilizes predominantly extracellular macromolecules, small amounts of [3H]serine-labelled molecules were found associated with the hyaluronate fraction purified from the extract by dissociative CsCl-density-gradient centrifugation and dissociative Sepharose CL-2B chromatography. About 75% of the [3H]serine-labelled molecules in the fraction were specifically associated with hyaluronate, since they could be removed by prior treatment with proteinase-free Streptomyces hyaluronidase. The association of the [3H]serine-labelled molecules with hyaluronate was non-covalent, since they could be separated from it by further centrifugation in CsCl density gradients containing 4 M-guanidinium chloride and a zwitterionic detergent. 3. In other experiments the cultures were extracted with a sequential zwitterionic-detergent/guanidinium chloride procedure that completely solubilized the cell layer and enabled fractions containing newly synthesized cell-associated hyaluronate to be isolated. Zwitterionic detergent was present throughout. No [3H]lysine was incorporated into these fractions, irrespective of whether the cultures were pulsed concurrently with [3H]lysine and [14C]glucosamine or sequentially with [3H]lysine to prelabel the protein pool (24 h) followed by [14C]-glucosamine to label hyaluronate (1 h). 4. The results show that newly synthesized hyaluronate is not associated with covalently bound protein, and suggest that chain synthesis is initiated by a mechanism other than on to a core protein. Small amounts of [3H]serine-labelled molecules are, however, non-covalently associated with extracellular hyaluronate. Their identity is at present unknown, but they are probably of low molecular weight.     

Preparation of iduronate sulfatase from the human placenta]

The preparation of the enzyme iduronate sulfatase from human placenta has been undertaken. The substrate O-(alpha-L-idopyranosyluronic acid 2-sulfate) (1 leads to 4)-2,5-anhydro-D-[3H]mannitol 6-sulfate was used to measure the enzymatic activity. The enzyme shows a pH optimum of 4.0 in 0.1 M sodium formiate or acetate buffer. Chromatography on DE-52 gives a 5.4 fold purification. The enzyme is inhibited by NaCl or KCl: in 20 mM salt the reaction rate was only 63% and 34% respectively. Inhibition by salt can be removed by extensive dialysis after the chromatographic step.     

Synthesis of hyaluronate in cultured bovine articular cartilage.

The synthesis and distribution of hyaluronate and proteoglycan were studied in bovine articular cartilage in short-term explant culture with [3H]acetate and H2(35)SO4 as precursors. The incorporation of [3H]acetate into hyaluronate and sulphated glycosaminoglycans was linear with time, except that hyaluronate synthesis showed a marked lag at the beginning of the incubation. [3H]Hyaluronate represented 4-7% of the total [3H]glycosaminoglycans synthesized over a 6 h period. However, the distributions of [3H]hyaluronate and 3H-labelled sulphated glycosaminoglycans were different: about 50% of the newly synthesized [3H]hyaluronate appeared in the medium, compared with less than 5% of the 3H-labelled sulphated proteoglycans. A pulse-chase experiment revealed that the release of newly synthesized [3H]hyaluronate from cartilage was rapid. No difference was observed in the distribution of [3H]hyaluronate between medium and tissue by cartilage from either the superficial layer or the deep layer of articular cartilage. When articular cartilage was incubated with 0.4 mM-cycloheximide, proteoglycan synthesis was markedly inhibited, whereas the synthesis of hyaluronate was only partially inhibited and resulted in more of the newly synthesized hyaluronate being released into the medium. Analysis of the hydrodynamic size of [3H]hyaluronate isolated from cartilage on Sephacryl-1000 revealed one population that was eluted as a broad peak (Kav. less than 0.7), compared with two populations (Kav. greater than 0.5 and less than 0.5) appearing in the medium of cultures. These data suggest that hyaluronate is synthesized in excess of proteoglycan synthesis and that the hyaluronate that is not complexed with proteoglycans is rapidly lost from the tissue.     

Comparison of chitinolytic enzymes from an alkaline, hypersaline lake and an estuary

We examined the genetic and physiological characteristics of chitin degrading enzymes expressed by fosmids cloned from two strains of chitinolytic gammaproteobacteria isolated from alkaline, hypersaline Mono Lake, California; and from a metagenomic library derived from an estuarine bacterial community (Dean Creek, Sapelo Island, GA, USA). The Mono Lake chitinolytic enzymes presented unique adaptations in terms of halo- and alkalitolerance. The sequence from one of the Mono Lake isolates (strain 12A) was a conventional family 18 glycosyl hydrolase; however, the expressed protein had a novel secondary activity peak at pH 10. We obtained a novel family 20 glycosyl hydrolase sequence from Mono Lake strain AI21. The activity of the expressed protein had a pH optimum of 10, several pH units higher than any other enzyme currently assigned to this family, and the enzyme retained 80% of its activity at pH 11. The enzyme was also halotolerant, retaining activity in salt solutions of up to 225 g l(-1). Sequence analysis indicated a molecular weight of approximately 90 kDa for the protein, and that it contained two active sites. Culture supernatant contained two chitinolytic proteins, 45 and 31 kDa, suggesting possible post-expression modification of the gene product. In contrast, the sequence found in the estuarine metagenomic library and the functional characteristics of the protein expressed from it were those of a conventional family 18 glycosyl hydrolase.     

Prolipoprotein modification and processing enzymes in Escherichia coli

Prolipoprotein signal peptidase, a unique endopeptidase which recognizes glycyl glyceride cysteine as a cleavage site, was characterized in an in vitro assay system using purified prolipoprotein as the substrate. This enzyme did not require phospholipids for its catalytic activity and was found to be localized in the inner cytoplasmic membrane of the Escherichia coli cell envelope. Globomycin inhibited this enzyme activity in vitro with a half-maximal inhibiting concentration of 0.76 nM. Nonionic detergent, such as Nikkol or Triton X-100, was required for the in vitro activity. The optimum pH and reaction temperature of prolipoprotein signal peptidase were pH 7.9 and 37-45 degrees C, respectively. Phosphatidylglycerol:prolipoprotein glyceryl transferase (glyceryl transferase) activity was measured using [2-3H]glycerol-labeled JE5505 cell envelope and [35S]cysteine-labeled MM18 cell envelope as the donor and acceptor of glyceryl moiety, respectively. 3H and 35S dual-labeled glyceryl cysteine was identified in the product of this enzymatic reaction. The optimal pH and reaction temperature for glyceryl transferase were pH 7.8 and 37 degrees C, respectively.     

Properties of microsomal phospholipases in rat liver and hepatoma.

Phospholipase A1, A2 and lysophospholipase activities in microsomes of Novikoff hepatoma host rat liver and regenerating rat liver were compared using 1-[9', 10'-3H2]palmitoyl-2-[1'-14C] linoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, 1-[1' -3H-]hexadecyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, and 1-[9', 10'-3H2]palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine as substrates. 1. Microsomes of all three tissues showed two pH dependent peaks of hydrolytic activity, one at pH 7.5 and another at pH 9.5. 2. Phospholipid hydrolytic activity in microsomes from host liver and regenerating liver require Ca2+ for hydrolysis at pH 9.5, but not at pH 7.5. Hepatoma microsomes require Ca2+ for activity at both pH values. 3. Phospholipase A1 activity, stimulated by addition of Triton X-100 to the incubation mixtures, was detected in both host liver and regenerating liver microsomes. There was no evidence of phospholipase A1 activity in hepatoma microsomes. 4. Phospholipase A2 was detected in microsomes of all three tissues using 1-[1'-3H] hexadecyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine as a substrate. The activity required calcium and was inhibited by Triton X-100. 5. Lysophospholipase activity was evident in the microsomes from all three tissues. The activity was inhibited by both Ca2+ and Triton X-100. 6. Differences were also detected between host liver and hepatoma microsomal phospholipid hydrolase activities with respect to the effect of increasing protein concentration, apparent Michaelis-Menten constants, and time course of the reaction.     

Purification and characterisation of leukotriene A4 hydrolase from rat neutrophils

Leukotriene A4 hydrolase was rapidly and extensively purified from rat neutrophils using anion exchange and gel filtration high-pressure liquid chromatography. The enzyme which converts the allylic epoxide leukotriene A4 to the 5,12-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid leukotriene B4 was localized in the cytosolic fraction and exhibited an optimum activity at pH 7.8 and an apparent Km for leukotriene A4 between 2 X 10(-5) and 3 X 10(-5) M. The purified leukotriene A4 hydrolase was shown to have a molecular weight of 68 000 on sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and of 50 000 by gel filtration. The molecular weight and monomeric native form of this enzyme are unique characteristics which distinguish leukotriene A4 hydrolase from previously purified epoxide hydrolases.     

A cel44C-man26A gene of endophytic Paenibacillus polymyxa GS01 has multi-glycosyl hydrolases in two catalytic domains

A bacterial strain Paenibacillus polymyxa GS01 was isolated from the interior of the roots of Korean cultivars of ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer). The cel44C-man26A gene was cloned from this endophytic strain. This 4,056-bp gene encodes for a 1,352-aa protein which, based on BLAST search homologies, contains a glycosyl hydrolase family 44 (GH44) catalytic domain, a fibronectin domain type 3, a glycosyl hydrolase family 26 (GH26) catalytic domain, and a cellulose-binding module type 3. The multifunctional enzyme domain GH44 possesses cellulase, xylanase, and lichenase activities, while the enzyme domain GH26 possesses mannanase activity. The Cel44C enzyme expressed in and purified from Escherichia coli has an optimum pH of 7.0 for cellulase and lichenase activities, but is at an optimum pH of 5.0 for xylanase and mannanase activities. The optimum temperature for enzymatic activity was 50°C for all substrates. No detectable enzymatic activity was detected for the Cel44C-Man26A mutants E91A and E222A. These results suggest that the amino acid residues Glu₉₁ and Glu₂₂₂ may play an important role in the glycosyl hydrolases activity of Cel44C-Man26A.     

The separation and characterization of marmoset kidney beta-D-galactosidase and beta-D-glucosidase.

beta-D-Galactosidase and beta-D-glucosidase activities were determined in homogenates of marmoset kidney by using the appropriate 4-methylumbelliferyl glycoside, beta-D-Galactosidase activity was separated into two main components by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, starch-gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing and gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. One form designated A had a pI of 5.1, was loosely bound to DEAE-cellulose at pH7.0, remained near the origin on starch-gel electrophoresis at pH 7.0 and had an apparent molecular weight of 160000. The second beta-D-galactosidase component, designated B, was associated with the total beta-D-glucosidase activity, had a pI of 4.3, was firmly bound to DEAE-cellulose, migrated rapidly towards the anode on starch-gel electrophoresis and had an apparent molecular weight of 50000. The optimum pH values of beta-D-galactosidase A and B were 4.5 and 6.0 respectively. beta-D-Galactosidase A was activated by 0.1 M-NaC1 but the activity of the B form was inhibited by 1 M-NaC1 at pH 4.5. beta-D-galactosidase had a bimodal distribution, the A form being recovered in the lysosomal fraction whereas the B form was present in the soluble fraction, as was the major portion of the beta-D-glucosidase activity. The lysosomal and soluble forms were further characterized by DEAE-cellulose chromatography.     

Inhibition of leukotriene A4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase by captopril

Captopril ((2S)-1-(3-mercapto-2-methyl-propionyl)-L-proline) inhibited the bifunctional, Zn(2+)-containing enzyme leukotriene A4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase reversibly and competitively with Ki = 6.0 microM for leukotriene B4 formation and Ki = 60 nM for L-lysine-p-nitroanilide hydrolysis at pH 8. Inhibition was independent of pH between pH 7 and 8, the optimum range for each catalytic activity. Half-maximal inhibition of leukotriene B4 formation by intact erythrocytes and neutrophils required 50 and 88 microM captopril, respectively. In neutrophils and platelets neither 5(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, nor leukotriene C4 formation were reduced, indicating selective inhibition of leukotriene A4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase, not 5-lipoxygenase, 12-lipoxygenase, or leukotriene C4 synthase. In whole blood, captopril inhibited leukotriene B4 formation with an accompanying redistribution of substrate toward formation of cysteinyl leukotrienes. The decrease in leukotriene B4 was more substantial than the corresponding increase in cysteinyl leukotrienes suggesting that nonenzymatic hydration predominates over transcellular metabolism of leukotriene A4 by platelets during selective inhibition of leukotriene A4 hydrolase. Enalapril dicarboxylic acid and Glu-Trp-Pro-Arg-ProGln-Ile-Pro-Pro which inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme: angiotensin I, bradykinin, and N-[3-(2-furyl)acryloyl]Phe-Gly-Gly which are substrates; and chloride ions which activate angiotensin-converting enzyme did not modulate leukotriene A4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase activity. The results indicate that: (i) the sulfhydryl group of captopril is an important determinant for inhibition of leukotriene A4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase, probably by binding to an active site Zn2+; (ii) aminopeptidase and leukotriene A4 hydrolase display differential susceptibility to inhibition; (iii) there is minimal functional similarity between angiotensin-converting enzyme (peptidyl dipeptidase) and leukotriene A4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase; (iv) captopril may be a useful prototype to identify more potent and selective leukotriene A4 hydrolase inhibitors.     

Kinetic and inhibitor profiles of soluble and particulate inositol 1,4-5-trisphosphate 5-phosphatase from GH3 and IMR-32 cells.

A simple procedure for assay of Ins(1,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase is described. The reaction products [( 3H]Ins(1,4)P2, [3H]InsP and myo-[3H]inositol) are completely separated from one another, with quantitative yield, on Amprep SAX (100 mg) minicolumns. [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 [and [3H]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4] are adsorbed to the columns but not released to any appreciable extent by the elution conditions used. In GH3 cells, the stepwise dephosphorylation of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 to myo-[3H]inositol was demonstrated, and was inhibited by 2.3-bisphosphoglycerate. The Km of the soluble form of the enzyme was lower in GH3 cells (8-13 microM) than in IMR-32 cells (26-32 microM) or in rat cerebral-cortical samples (22 microM. The Km of the particulate form of the enzyme was similar in all three preparations (10-16 microM). The pH profiles of the two soluble 5-phosphatases differed, with a wider pH optimum for the GH3-cell activity than for the IMR-32-cell activity. The soluble and particulate GH3 enzymes were more sensitive than the corresponding IMR-32 enzymes to inhibition by p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, whereas there were no differences in their sensitivities to glucose 6-phosphate, 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate, fructose 1.6- and 2.6-bisphosphate and non-radioactive Ins(1,3,4,5)P4. Dialysis of the soluble fractions and washing of the particulate fractions did not affect the inhibitor sensitivities, except for the soluble IMR-32 fraction and p-hydroxymercuribenzoate. The Km value of the soluble GH3 5-phosphatase activity was lower, and the inhibition by Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 greater, after adsorption to and elution from phosphocellulose. It is concluded that there are qualitative differences in the properties of the soluble 5-phosphatase activity from GH3 and IMR-32 cells.     

In vitro comparative metabolism of 6,7-3H estrone and 6,7-3H estrone-3-sulfate in maternal and fetal guinea-pig liver]

The metabolism of [6,7-3H] estrone and of [6,7(3)H] estrone-3-sulfate have been comparatively studied in the maternal and fetal guinea-pig livers. The appearance of estradiol-17 beta resulting from the activity of the 17 beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase is more important in the fetal than in the maternal hepatic tissue. This suggests the direct transformation of estrone-3-sulfate into estradio-3-sulfate in the fetus. After incubation of the [3H] estrone, there is an abundant hepatic conjugation. The glycuroconjugated components are predominant, as well in the maternal as in the fetal hepatic tissue. For the latter-one the sulfoconjugation is inexistant. The sulfatasic activity shown after the incubation of [3H] estrone-3-sulfate is very low in the fetal hepatic tissue; in contrast, this activity is higher in the maternal tissue.     

Regulation of the supramolecular structure and the catalytic activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase in the reversed micelle system

Regulation mechanisms of the supramolecular structure and the catalytic activity of a heterodimeric enzyme, gamma-glutamyltransferase, in the system of Aerosol OT (AOT) reversed micelles in octane have been studied. gamma-(3-carboxy-4-nitro)-glutamic acid anilide (L- and D-isomers) and glycylglycine were used as substrates to explore the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolase, autotransferase, and transferase reactions. For all types of reactions, the catalytic activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase as a function of the hydration degree has a shape of curves with three optima. The optima of the catalytic activity were detected at hydration degrees [( H2O]/[AOT] = 11, 17, and 26) when radii of the micelle's inner cavity are commensurate with the light and heavy subunits (Mr 21,000 and 54,000, respectively) of gamma-glutamyltransferase as well as with the dimer (Mr 75,000). As ultracentrifugation the change in hydration degree caused a reversible dissociation of the enzyme to the light and heavy subunits. Both subunits catalyze the hydrolase and transferase reactions, whereas the autotransferase activity was detected only for the heavy subunit. Dependencies of catalytic activities of the subunits on the hydration degree have one optimum each (at [H2O]/[AOT] = 11 and 17 for the light and heavy subunits, respectively). When mixing micellar solutions containing both subunits, a third optimum was detected corresponding to the dimer [( H2O]/[AOT] = 26).     

Weed control ability of Egyptian Natural Products against annual,perennial and parasitic weeds

The research and application of natural product herbicides have received considerable attention recently over the world as alternative tools against chemical herbicides for weed control due to many unique properties. A wide variety of compounds shows the broadest spectrum of herbicidal activity were found in Egyptian plant resources including; [6,3′-dihydroxy-3,5,7,4′-tetra methoxy flavone, dihydro-quercetin, 3,6,7,3`,4`-pentamethoxyflavone, quercetagetin 3, 5, 6, 7, 3′, 4′-hexamethyl ether, 6,-4′-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone, 6,4⁻-dihydroxy-3,5,7-trimethoxyflavone, sesquiterpene (Eudesm-4(15), 11(13)-diene-12,5β-oIide) and 3, 5-dicaffeoyl quinic acid] from Jasonia montana, [15-hydroxyisocostic acid, methyl 15- oxo-eudesome-4, 11(13)-diene 12-oate as well as 1α, 9α-dihydroxy-α-cyclocostunolide, isorhamnetin 3-sulfate, isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside rhamanetin and epicatechin] from Conyza dioscoridis, [chlorogenic acid, hydroxyl-3-methoxyflavone, quercetin, kaempferol 3β-D-6”-O-cis-cinnamoyl glucoside, kaempferol, mangiferin, coumaroyl glucoside, coumaroyl quince acid, dicaffeoyl quinic acids] from Silverleaf nightshade Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav, [apigenin, matricolone, herniarin and coumarin, apigenin-7-O-4″, 6″-diacetyl glycoside and apigenin 7-O-4–acetyl glycoside] from Matricaria chamomilla, and [kaempferol 3-O-β-(6″-p-coumaroyl glucopyranoside] from Abutilon theophrasti respectively. These constituents are isolated by chromatographic techniques and identified by spectroscopic methods and tested in both pre and post emergence stages of weeds to determine the effective dose and time for use. The natural herbicide isolated from plant or microorganisms are potentially useful as selective, biodegradable, safe to the environment which will provide an alternative natural solution for combating crop weeds. This review focuses on the characteristics of natural product herbicides from Egyptian plants and evaluates against weeds.     

Characterization of the forward and reverse reactions catalyzed by CDP-diacylglycerol:inositol transferase in rabbit lung tissue.

CDPdiacylglycerol:inositol transferase activity in rabbit lung tissue has been characterized and the optimum conditions for assaying this enzyme in vitro were determined. Rabbit lung tissue CDPdiacylglycerol:inositol transferase activity was found primarily in the microsomal fraction. The pH optimum of the enzyme activity was between 8.8 and 9.4, and the reaction was dependent on either Mn2+ or Mg2+. Detergents and Ca2+ inhibited the activity of the enzyme. The apparent Km values of the enzyme for CDPdioleoylglycerol and myoinositol were 0.18 mM and 0.10 mM, respectively. The reversibility of the reaction catalyzed by CDPdiacylglycerol:inositol transferase in microsomes prepared from rabbit lung tissue was demonstrated by the synthesis of [3H]CMPdiacylglycerol when [3H]CMP and phosphatidylinositol were present in the incubation mixture. The reverse reaction was characterized and its importance in the regulation of the acidic phospholipid composition of surfactant during lung development is discussed. The pH optimum for the reverse reaction was 6.2, and the reverse reaction was also dependent on Mn2+ or Mg2+. The apparent Km value of CDPdiacylglycerol:inositol transferase for CMP was found to be 2.8 mM.     

Structural studies on proteoglycan from human chondrosarcoma.

Proteoglycan was isolated from a human chondrosarcoma which contained all glycosaminoglycans found in articular cartilage. Proteoglycans extracted by associative (67% of total uronate) and subsequent dissociative (27% of total uronate) solvents were identical as assessed by chromatography on Sepharose 2B (K_av 0.43), electrophoresis on acrylamideagarose gels, and in their ability to bind to hyaluronate. In addition there were no differences in chondroitin sulfate size, ratio of chondroitin 4- to 6-sulfate, or in size or form of keratan sulfate present. Two forms of keratan sulfate were identified following treatment with alkaline borohydride: A larger species (～-23 monosaccharides) was isolated from the keratan sulfate-enriched region only; a smaller oligosaccharide (～-13 monosaccharides) was recovered from all peptidoglycans released by trypsin, chymotrypsin treatment.