Laminar distribution of noradrenergic markers in rat visual cortex

The laminar distribution of ₁-, ₂- and β-adrenoreceptors was studied in the visual cortex of adult rat together with an investigation of noradrenaline uptake sites. The different layers of the visual cortex were separated by cutting serial cryostat sections and binding studies were performed in slide-mounted tissue sections of 10μm thickness collected from one individual cortical layer. [³H]desipramine binding, assumed to label noradrenaline uptake sites, was found to be highest in layer I by about 37%, whereas binding in the remaining layers was uniformly distributed. The laminar distribution of the ₁- and ₂-adrenoreceptors studied using [³H]prazosin and [³H]clonidine as radioligands, was similar to that of the noradrenaline uptake sites: markedly higher binding was detectable in layer I compared to the remaining layers. In contrast, the density of β-adrenoreceptors, as revealed by [³H]dihydroalprenolol binding, was highest in layers I and IV, followed by layer II/III, (58% of that in layer I and IV). Lowest binding was observed in layers V and VI (36%). The similarity in laminar distributions of -adrenoreceptors and noradrenaline uptake sites suggests a close correlation of receptor localization and fibre termination, whereas the localization of β-adrenoreceptors cannot be easily related to the pattern of noradrenergic fibres and terminals.     

Retrograde axonal transport after radioactive hydroxyindole injections into the olfactory bulb—an autoradiographic study

Light microscope autoradiography was used to study the retrograde transport of labelled material after injection of [³H]serotonin ([³H]5-HT), [³H]5-hydroxytryptophan ([³H]5-HTP) and [¹⁴C]5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid ([¹⁴C]5-HIAA) into the olfactory bulb (OB) of rat. A perikaryal labelling was clearly visualized in the Raphe Dorsalis (RD) and the Raphe Centralis (RC) 24 h after injection of [³H]5-HT (but not after injection of [³H]5-HTP or [¹⁴C]5-HIAA) into the OB of rats without monoamine-oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). In the OB, the labelled cells (mitral, granular, periglomerular and tufted cells) and the varicosities (dispersed in granular, plexiform and glomerular layers) were greater in number and intensity at 8 h than at 24 h after [³H]5-HT (10⁻³ M) injection. Five hours after injection of [¹⁴C]5-HIAA (10⁻³ M) some mitral, granular and tufted cells were labelled in the cytoplasm, nuclei and dendrites. A few varicosities were also observed. In contrast, after [³H]5-HTP injection no clear labelling was visualized in axonal processes. A net autoradiographic reaction was seen, however, in the capillary walls and some granular cells.

After injection of [³H]5-HT at various concentrations (10⁻² M to 10⁻⁵ M) into the OB of rats pretreated with MAOI, a selectivity in the pattern of labelling in the injection site and the afferent cell bodies was found at 10⁻⁴ M and 10⁻⁵ M. At these concentrations, the serotoninergic RD and RC neurons were clearly labelled, but the non-serotoninergic neurons such as those originating in the Locus Coeruleus, prepiriform cortex were devoid of label. In the OB, only varicosities and fiber-like structures were reactive. In the RD cell bodies, the intensity of labelling as well as the number of labelled cells were greater at higher concentrations of injected [³H]5-HT and when rats were pretreated with a MAOI.     

Bradykinin effects on phospholipid metabolism and its relation to arachidonic acid turnovers in neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid cells (NG 108-15)

In neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid cells (NG 108-15) labelled with [³²P]-trisodium phosphate, [³H]-inositol and [¹⁴C]-arachidonic acid, bradykinin stimulated the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂) while it had no effect on the release of [¹⁴C]-arachidonic acid (AA). The effect on PIP, was time- and dose-dependent with a maximal effect on [³H]-inositol- and [³²P]-labelled cells after 10–30 s of stimulation with 10⁻⁶ M bradykinin. However, the hydrolysis of [¹⁴C]-AA labelled PIP₂ was delayed compared to the effect on [³H]- and [¹⁴C]-PIP₂ and was not detectable until after 60 s of stimulation. Bradykinin stimulation resulted in an increased formation of [³H]-inositol phosphates (IP) and [³²P]- and [¹⁴P]- and [¹⁴C]-phosphatidic acid (PA) but the time course for PA formation did not allow the time-course for PIP₂ hydrolysis. A reduced labelling of [²³P]- and [¹⁴C]-phosphatidylcholine was also found in stimulated cells suggesting that PA may derive from other sources than PIP₂. In conclusion, our results indicate that bradykinin activates phospholipase C, but not phospholipase A₂, in NG 108-15 cells.     

[H]WAY–100635 for 5–HT1A receptor autoradiography in human brain: a comparison with [H]8–OH–DPAT and demonstration of increased binding in the frontal cortex in schizophrenia

WAY–100635 is the first selective, silent 5–HT_1A (5-hydroxytryptamine_1A, serotonin-1A) receptor antagonist. We have investigated the use of [³H]WAY–100635 as a quantitative autoradiographic ligand in post-mortem human hippocampus, raphe and four cortical regions, and compared it with the 5–HT_1A receptor agonist, [³H]8–OH–DPAT. Saturation studies showed an average Kd for [³H]WAY–100635 binding in hippocampus of 1.1 nM. The regional and laminar distributions of [³H]WAY–100635 binding and [³H]8–OH–DPAT binding were similar. The density of [³H]WAY–100635 binding sites was 60–70% more than that of [³H]8–OH–DPAT in all areas examined except the cingulate gyrus where it was 165% higher. [³H]WAY–100635 binding was robust and was not affected by the post-mortem interval, freezer storage time or brain pH (agonal state). Using [³H]WAY–100635, we confirmed an increase of 5–HT_1A receptor binding sites in the frontal cortex in schizophrenia, previously demonstrated with [³H]8–OH–DPAT. Compared to [³H]8–OH–DPAT, [³H]WAY–100635 has two advantages: it has a higher selectivity and affinity for the 5–HT_1A receptor, and it recognizes 5–HT_1A receptors whether or not they are coupled to a G-protein, whereas [³H]8–OH–DPAT primarily detects coupled receptors. Given these considerations, the [³H]WAY–100635 binding data in schizophrenia clarify two points. First, they indicate that the elevated [³H]8–OH–DPAT binding seen in the same cases is attributable to an increase of 5–HT_1A receptors rather than any other binding site. Second, the enhanced [³H]8–OH–DPAT binding in schizophrenia reflects an increased density of 5–HT_1A receptors, not an increased percentage of 5–HT_1A receptors which are G-protein-coupled. We conclude that [³H]WAY–100635 is a valuable autoradiographic ligand for the qualitative and quantitative study of 5–HT_1A receptors in the human brain.     

A differential interaction of putative μ-selective agonists with opiate binding sites in rat brain

The availability of tritium-labelled sufentanil ([³H]SUF) allowed for a further radioligand analysis of opiate binding sites in rat brain. A comparison of the binding characteristics of [³H]SUF and [³H]dihydromorphine ([³H]DHM) revealed a very similar potency in their mutual displacement by unlabelled analogues. Furthermore, a series of putative μ-opiate agonists displayed equal potencies in displacing either [³H]SUF and [³H]DHM, the only striking exception being the highly μ-selective opioid peptide morphiceptin which was 33 times less potent in inhibiting [³H]SUF as compared to [³H]DHM binding. Additional experiments revealed further pronounced differences in [³H]SUF and [³H]DHM binding characteristics: the total amount of binding sites for [³H]SUF was 4 times higher than that for [³H]DHM and the regional distribution within particular brain areas displayed considerable differences. Furthermore, the binding of [³H]SUF was differentially modulated by sodium and GTP as compared to [³H]DHM binding. These data suggest that in rat brain, [³H]SUF interacts both with μ-opiate sites recognizing [³H]DHM and another type of opiate site, which cannot be equated with any of the, as yet, described δ- or κ-binding sites, and rather, represents a subclass of μ-opiate receptor sites. These experiments, thus, support the notion of subclasses (isoreceptors) for different types of opiate receptors.     

Binding activities by propiverine and its N-oxide metabolites of L-type calcium channel antagonist receptors in the rat bladder and brain

The present study was undertaken to characterize the binding activities of propiverine and its N-oxide metabolites (1-methyl-4-piperidyl diphenylpropoxyacetate N-oxide: P-4(N → O), 1-methyl-4-piperidyl benzilate N-oxide: DPr-P-4(N → O)) toward L-type calcium channel antagonist receptors in the rat bladder and brain. Propiverine and P-4(N → O) inhibited specific (+)-[³H]PN 200–110 binding in the rat bladder in a concentration-dependent manner. Compared with that for propiverine, the K_i value for P-4(N → O) in the bladder was significantly greater. Scatchard analysis has revealed that propiverine increased significantly K_d values for bladder (+)-[³H]PN 200–110 binding. DPr-P-4(N → O) had little inhibitory effects on the bladder (+)-[³H]PN 200–110 binding. Oxybutynin and N-desethyl-oxybutynin (DEOB) also inhibited specific (+)-[³H]PN 200–110 binding in the rat bladder. Propiverine, oxybutynin and their metabolites inhibited specific [N-methyl-³H]scopolamine methyl chloride ([³H]NMS) binding in the rat bladder. The ratios of K_i values for (+)-[³H]PN 200–110 to [³H]NMS were markedly smaller for propiverine and P-4(N → O) than oxybutynin and DEOB. Propiverine and P-4(N → O) inhibited specific binding of (+)-[³H]PN 200–110, [³H]diltiazem and [³H]verapamil in the rat cerebral cortex in a concentration-dependent manner. The K_i values of propiverine and P-4(N → O) for [³H]diltiazem were significantly smaller than those for (+)-[³H]PN 200–110 and [³H]verapamil. Further, their K_i values for [³H]verapamil were significantly smaller than those for (+)-[³H]PN 200–110. The K_i values of propiverine for each radioligand in the cerebral cortex were significantly (P < 0.05) smaller than those of P-4(N → O). In conclusion, the present study has shown that propiverine and P-4(N → O) exert a significant binding activity of L-type calcium channel antagonist receptors in the bladder and these effects may be pharmacologically relevant in the treatment of overactive bladder after oral administration of propiverine.     

Quantitative Measurement of the Diastereoisomers of CIS Thymidine Glycol in Gamma-Irradiated DNA

A technique for determing the relative content of each of the diastereoisomers of cis thymidine glycol (dTG) in DNA exposed to ionizing radiation has been developed. [³H]thymidine DNA was gamma-irradiated, digested to 2'-deoxyribonucleosides, authentic [¹⁴C] (+, -) cis dTG added to the digestate and the mixture resolved by HPLC. ³H fractions coeluting with [¹⁴C] (+, -) dTG were collected and acetylated.

The acetoxy derivatives.of (+) and (-) cis dTG were easily resolved by a second HPLC analysis and their absolute configuration determined by NMR amd mass spectroscopies. We have constructed a dose-response curve for formation of each isomer in gamma-irradiated DNA and shown that they are formed in equal amounts. This technique may be used to determine the relative formation of cis dTG isomers in DNA resulting from other oxidative stresses and whether repair of these is influenced by their configuration.     

Methods for 3H-2-D-Deoxyglucose Autoradiography on Film and Fine-Grain Emulsions

Deoxyglucose labelled with ¹⁴C is utilized for the determination of regional glucose metabolism in the brain. In this paper, procedures are described in which ³H replaces the ¹⁴C marker for film autoradiography. A significant improvement of resolution is obtained as a result of the use of tritium and of various precautions to avoid diffusion of the soluble deoxyglucose. In addition, a method using a fine-grain emulsion (NTB-2) is presented. In this case, definition of labelled sites at a cytological level is obtained. Precise quantification is also possible through grain counting.     

Selective changes of neurotransmitter receptors in middle-aged gerbil brain

Age-related alterations in major neurotransmitter receptors and voltage dependent calcium channels were analyzed by receptor autoradiography in the gerbil brain. [³H]Quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB). [³H]cyclohexyladenosine (CHA), [³H]muscimol, [³H]MK-801, [³H]SCH 23390, [³H]naloxone, and [³H]PN200-110 were used to label muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, adenosine A₁ receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid_A (GABA_A) receptors, (NMDA) receptors, dopamine D₁ receptors, opioid receptors, and voltage dependent calcium channels, respectively. In middle-aged gerbils (16 months old), the hippocampus exhibited a significant elevation in [³H]QNB, [³H]MK-801, [³H]SCH 23390, [³H]naloxone, and [³H]PN200-110 binding, whereas [³H]CHA and [³H]muscimol binding showed a significant reduction in this area, compared with that of young animals (1 month). On the other hand, the cerebellum showed a significant alteration in [³H]QNB, [³H]CHA, and [³H]naloxone binding and the striatum also exhibited a significant alteration in [³H]SCH 23390 and [³H]CHA binding in middle-aged gerbils. The neocortex showed a significant elevation only in [³H]CHA binding in middle-aged animals. The nucleus accumbens and thalamus also showed a significant alteration only in [³H]muscimol binding. However, the hypothalamus and substantia nigra exhibited no significant alteration in these bindings in middle-aged gerbils. These results demonstrate the age-related alterations of various neurotransmitter receptors and voltage dependent calcium channels in most brain regions. Furthermore, they suggest that the hippocampus is most susceptible to aging processes and is altered at an early stage of senescence.     

An Improved Method for Double-Isotope and Double-Emulsion Radioautography Using Epoxy Resin Sections

This technique for the quantitation of silver grains in radioautographs produced by two differently labeled precursors of proteins and ribonucleic acids involves the use of 0.5 μ-thick sections from as many as 24 different blocks of tissue on a single microscope slide. Thereby, the incorporation of uridine-³H and leucine-¹⁴C by exocrine cells of the pancreas and major salivary glands was studied. The results indicate: (1) that this technique can be applied successfully in a simultaneous evaluation of two metabolic aspects in a given population of cells, and (2) that standardization of the mounting procedure permits multiple statistical comparisons of different organs.     

Direct interactions of androgenic/anabolic steroids with the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor in rat brain: Implications for the psychological and physiological manifestations of androgenic/anabolic steroid abuse

The peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) is a mitochondrial protein involved in regulating steroid synthesis and transport. We report here the effects of androgenic/anabolic steroids (AAS) on the binding of the PBR-specific ligand [³H] PK11195 to male rat brain cortical synaptoneurosomes. Two synthetic AAS, stanozolol and 17β-testosterone cypionate (17β-cyp), significantly inhibited 1 nM [³H] PK11195 binding at concentrations greater than 5 and 25 μM, respectively. Stanozolol was the most effective inhibitor, reducing [³H] PK11195 binding by up to 75%, compared to only 40% inhibition by 17β-cyp, at 50 μM AAS concentration. Two other AAS, 17-methyltestosterone and nortestosterone decanoate, were incapable of inhibiting [³H] PK11195 binding at concentrations up to 50 μM. On the basis of Scatchard/Rosenthal analysis, [³H] PK11195 binds to two classes of binding sites, and the inhibition of [³H] PK11195 binding by stanozolol appears to be allosteric, primarily reducing binding to the higher affinity [³H] PK11195 binding site. These results, in combination with earlier studies indicating the direct effects of AAS on the function of additional central nervous system receptor complexes, suggest that the behavioral and psychological effects of AAS result from the interactions of AAS with multiple regulatory systems in the brain.     

Differentiation of [H]phencyclidine and ( + )-[H]SKF-10,047 binding sites in rat cerebral cortex

The potency of a series of opioid and non-opioid psychotomimetic drugs to inhibit the specific binding of [³H]PCP and ( + )-[³H]SKF-10,047 to rat cerebral cortical membranes was examined. ( + )-PCMP, the 3-methylpiperidino analog of PCP, was a potent inhibitor of the specific binding of both ligands. All of the other 12 compounds examined, however, displayed a 3-277-fold selectivity for either [³H]PCP or (+)-[³H]SKF-10,047 binding. These results suggest that although these opioid and non-opioid psychotomimetics bind to both sites, most have significantly different affinities. The binding sites for [³H]PCP appear to be distinct from the ‘sigma’ binding sites labeled with (+)-[³H]SKF-10,047.

SKF-10,047 Sigma receptor Phencyclidine Phencyclidine receptor Psychotomimetic activity     

Toxicity and mutagenicity of X-rays and [125I]dUrd or [3H]TdR incorporated in the DNA of human lymphoblast cells

We measured the toxicity and mutagenicity induced in human diploid lymphoblasts by various radiation doses of X-rays and two internal emitters. [¹²⁵I]iododeoxyuridine ([¹²⁵I]dUrd) and [³H]thymidine ([³H]TdR), incorporated into cellular DNA. [¹²⁵I]dUrd was more effective than [³H]TdR at killing cells and producing mutations to 6-thioguanine resistance (6TG^R). No ouabain-resistant mutants were induced by any of these agents. Expressing dose as total disintegrations per cell (dpc), the D₀ for cell killing for [¹²⁵I]dUrd was 28 dpc and for [³H]TdR was 385 dpc. The D₀ for X-rays was 48 rad at 37°C. The slopes of the mutation curves were approximately 75 × 10⁻⁸ 6TG^R mutants per cell per disintegration for [¹²⁵I]dUrd and 2 × 10⁻⁸ for [³H]TdR. X-Rays induced 8 × 10⁻⁸ 6TG^R mutants per cell per rad. Normalizing for survival, [¹²⁵I]dUrd remained much more mutagenic at low doses (high survival levels) than the other two agents. Treatment of the cells at either 37°C or while frozen at −70°C yielded no difference in cytotoxicity or mutation for [¹²⁵I]dUrd or [³H]TdR, whereas X-rays were 6 times less effective in killing cells at −70°C.

Assuming that incorporation was random throughout the genome, the mutagenic efficiencies of the radionuclides could be calculated by dividing the mutation rate by the level of incorporation. If the effective target size of the 6TG^R locus is 1000–3000 base pairs, then the mutagenic efficiency of [¹²⁵I]dUrd is 1.0–3.0 and of [³H]TdR is 0.02–0.06 total genomic mutations per cell per disintegration. ¹²⁵I disintegrations are known to produce localized DNA double-strand breaks. If these breaks are potentially lethal lesions, they must be repaired, since the mean lethal dose (D₀) was 28 dpc. The observations that a single dpc has a high probability of producing a mutation (mutagenic efficiency 1.0–3.0) would suggest, however, that this repair is extremely error-prone. If the breaks need not be repaired to permit survival, then lethal lesions are a subset of or are completely different from mutagenic lesions.     

Autoradiographic mapping of pulmonary NK1 and NK2 tachykinin receptors and changes after repeated antigen challenge in guinea pigs

An autoradiographic technique was used to study the distribution of changes in pulmonary NK₁ and NK₂ receptors in guinea pig lung after repeated antigen challenge. Specific labeling of [³H] CP96345 (NK₁ receptors) and [³H] SR48968 (NK₂ receptors) was localized over the tracheal and bronchial smooth muscle; the density of binding increased towards smaller airways with a higher density for [³H] CP96345 binding. Bronchial epithelium and pulmonary blood vessels were also labeled densely with [³H] CP96345. No remarkable difference in the pattern of distribution of pulmonary NK₁ and NK₂ tachykinin receptors was observed between control, vehicle-challenged, and repeatedly antigen-challenged (weekly for three times) guinea pigs. A significant reduction in specific labeling of [³H] CP96345 (p < 0.01) and [³H] SR48968 (p < 0.05) over pulmonary structures was observed in antigen-challenged compared to control or vehicle-challenged animals. This study provides evidence that NK₁ and NK₂ tachykinin receptors are both localized to smooth muscle of all sizes in guinea pig airways and provides further evidence for a discrete distribution of NK₁ and NK₂ tachykinin receptors, consistent with their relative functional activities. In a established model of airway inflammation a decrease in the expression of NK₁ and NK₂ tachykinin receptors was evident on several different cell types within the lung, and this could influence airway and vascular reactivity.     

Serotonin and histamine receptor-mediated inhibition of serotonin and noradrenaline release in rat brain cortex under nimodipine treatment

Rat brain cortex slices preincubated with [³H]serotonin or [³H]noradrenaline (25 100 nmol/l each) were superfused and the effects of serotonin and histamine on the electrically (0.3 or 3 Hz) evoked tritium overflow were studied.

In slices preincubated with [³H]serotonin the extent of inhibition of the electrically (3 Hz) evoked tritium overflow produced by histamine was increased when the concentration of [³H]serotonin used for incubation was decreased. The evoked overflow tended to be lower in slices from 2-year-old rats than in slices from 6-month-old animals whereas the inhibitory effect of histamine on the evoked overflow did not differ. Treatment of rats with nimodipine for at least 6 weeks did not significantly affect the evoked overflow in slices from 6-month and 2-year-old rats nor did it significantly alter the serotonin- and histamine-mediated inhibition of the evoked overflow in slices from young adult rats. The extent of histamine-mediated inhibition of the electrically evoked tritium overflow from slices (of young adult rats) preincubated with [³H]noradrenaline did not change when the concentration of [³H]noradrenaline used for incubation was decreased; the degree of inhibition markedly increased when the frequency of stimulation was lowered from 3 to 0.3 Hz. The inhibitory effect of histamine on the electrically (0.3 Hz) evoked overflow was mimicked by the H₃ receptor agonist R-(−)--methylhistamine and antagonized by the H₃ receptor antagonist thioperamide. The electrically evoked overflow and its inhibition by histamine were not affected by nimodipine, irrespective of whether the Ca²⁺ antagonist was administered in vivo (for at least 6 weeks) or added to the superfusion medium in vitro.

It is concluded that (1) the extent of the H₃ receptor-mediated effect in rat brain cortex slices can be markedly increased by lowering the concentration of the tracer in slices preincubated with [³H]serotonin and by lowering the stimulation frequency in slices preincubated with [³H]noradrenaline; (2) the H₃ receptor-mediated inhibition of serotonin release is not changed during aging and (3) nimodipine does not significantly influence serotonin release and noradrenaline release and their serotonin and/or histamine receptor-mediated modulation.     

A general method for assaying homo-and hetero-transglycanase activities that act on plant cell-wall polysaccharides

Transglycanases(endotransglycosylases) cleave a polysaccharide(donor-substrate) in mid-chain, and then transfer a portion onto another poly-or oligosaccharide(acceptor-substrate). Such enzymes contribute to plant cellwall assembly and/or re-structuring. We sought a general method for revealing novel homo- and hetero-transglycanases, applicable to diverse polysaccharides and oligosaccharides, separating transglycanase-generated3 Hpolysaccharides from unreacted3H-oligosaccharides—the former immobilized(on filter-paper, silica-gel or glassfiber),the latter eluted. On filter-paper, certain polysaccharides [e.g.(1!3, 1!4)-b-D-glucans] remained satisfactorily adsorbed when water-washed; others(e.g. pectins) were partially lost. Many oligosaccharides(e.g. arabinan-, galactan-, xyloglucan-based) were successfully eluted in appropriate solvents, but others(e.g. [3H]xylohexaitol, [3H]mannohexaitol[3H]cellohexaitol) remained immobile. On silica-gel, all3 Holigosaccharides left an immobile ‘ghost' spot(contaminating any3H-polysaccharides), which was diminished but not prevented by additives e.g. sucrose or Triton X-100. The best stratum was glassfiber(GF), onto which the reactionmixture was dried then washed in 75% ethanol. Washing led to minimal loss or lateral migration of3H-polysaccharides if conducted by slow percolation of acidified ethanol. The effectiveness of GF-blotting was well demonstrated for Chara vulgaris transb-mannanase. In conclusion, our novel GF-blotting technique ef ficiently frees transglycanase-generated3H-polysaccharides from unreacted3H-oligosaccharides,enabling high-throughput screening of multiple postulated transglycanase activities utilising chemically diverse donorand acceptor-substrates.     

Differential production of prostaglandins D2 and E2 and of unusual prostanoid by chick spinal cord and meninges in vitro

In order to specify the source of locally synthesized prostaglandin (PG) E₂ which is able to saturate the large class of low affinity PGE₂ receptors in chick spinal cord, bioconversion of [1-¹⁴C]arachidonic acid into prostanoids was studied in homogenates of chick spinal cord and meninges first without addition of exogenous glutathione (GSH). Homogenates of spinal cord produced ¹⁴C-labeled PGE₂, PGD₂ and PGF₂. Homogenates of meninges accumulated much larger amounts of [¹⁴C]PGE₂ than spinal cord and surprisingly a ¹⁴C-labeled arachidonate metabolite referred to as compound Y. Compound Y generation, which was inhibited by indomethacin and enhanced by esculetin, was therefore mediated through the cyclooxygenase pathway. The fact that no labeled compound Y was detected in homogenates incubated with [³H]PGD₂ or [³H]PGE₂ indicated that compound Y was not degradation product of PG_s. Secondly, after addition of exogenous GSH, ¹⁴C-labeled compound Y was totally converted into [¹⁴C]PGE₂. The compound Y which is converted into PGF_s after a strong reduction with NaBH₄ and into PGE₂ after a mild reduction with GSH-hemin system or SnCl₂ was therefore assumed to be a 15 hydroperoxy-PGE₂ (15 HP-PGE₂). These results suggest that PGE₂ can be synthesized in meninges either by the classical isomerization of PGH₂ or by isomerization of PGG₂ followed by a GSH-sensitive reaction.     

Temperature dependent binding of mebendazole to tubulin in benzimidazole-susceptible and -resistant strains of Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Caenorhabditis elegans.

The binding of [³H]mebendazole ([³H]MBZ) to tubulin in benzimidazole-susceptible (BZ-S) and benzimidazole-resistant (BZ-R) strains of Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Caenorhabditis elegans was examined in order to investigate the biochemical changes to tubulin that result in BZ resistance in parasitic and free-living nematodes. In both species the extent of [³H]MBZ binding to tubulin was significantly reduced in the BZ-R strain compared with the BZ-S strain. The decrease in [³H]MBZ binding in the BZ-R strain of each species was the result of a significant reduction in the amount of charcoal stable [³H]MBZ-tubulin complexes and was not related to a change in the association constant of the [³H]MBZ-tubulin interaction. [³H]MBZ binding to tubulin was temperature dependent, reaching maximum levels at 37°C in BZ-S T. colubriformis and 10°C in BZ-R T. colubriformis. Both the BZ-S and BZ-R strains of C. elegans displayed maximum [³H]MBZ binding at 4°C. Resistance ratios derived from the amount of [³H]MBZ binding in the BZ-S and BZ-R strains and in vitro development assays demonstrated that the temperature dependence and extent of drug binding was indicative of BZ resistance status and was species specific in the BZ-S isolates. These results indicate that biochemical differences exist in the binding of benzimidazole carbamates to tubulin in nematode species, and suggest that the susceptibility of the parasitic nematodes to the benzimidazole anthelmintics is the result of a unique high affinity and/or high capacity interaction ofbenzimidazole carbamates with tubulin.     

Synthesis, platinum(II) complexes and structural aspects of the new tetradentate phosphine cis,trans,cis-1,2,3,4-tetrakis(diphenylphosphino)cyclobutane

Several novel dimers of the composition [M₂Cl₄(trans-dppen)₂] (M=Ni (1), Pd (2), Pt (3)) containing trans-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethene (trans-dppen) have been prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction methods, NMR spectroscopy (¹⁹⁵Pt{¹H}, ³¹P{¹H}), elemental analyses, and melting points. The intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of the two diphosphine-bridges in 3 produces [Pt₂Cl₄(dppcb)] (4), where dppcb is the new tetradentate phosphine cis,trans,cis-1,2,3,4-tetrakis(diphenylphosphino)cyclobutane. Neither 1 nor the free diphosphine trans-dppen shows this reaction. In the case of 2 the photocycloaddition is slower than in 3. This difference can be explained by the shorter distance between the two aliphatic double bonds in 3 than in 2, but also different transition probabilities within ground and excited states of the used metals could be involved. Furthermore, variable-temperature ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy of 2 or 3 reveals a negative activation entropy of 2 for the [2+2] photocycloaddition, but a positive of 3. The removal of chloride from 4 by precipitating AgCl with AgBF₄, and subsequent treatment with 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) leads to [Pt₂(dppcb)(bipy)₂](BF₄)₄ (5) and [Pt₂(dppcb)(phen)₂](BF₄)₄ (6), respectively. In an analogous reaction of 4 with PMe₂Ph or PMePh₂, [Pt₂(dppcb)(PMe₂Ph)₄](BF₄)₄ (7) and [Pt₂(dppcb)(PMePh₂)₄](BF₄)₄ (8) are formed. Complexes 1–8 show square–planar coordinations, where the compounds 4–8 have also been characterized by the above mentioned methods together with fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (7, 8). The crystal structure of 4 reveals two conformations, which arise from an energetic competition between the sterical demands of dppcb and an ideal square–planar environment of Pt(II). The free tetraphosphine dppcb can be obtained easily from 4 by treatment with NaCN. It has been characterized fully by the above methods including ¹³C{¹H} and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray structure analysis shows the pure MMMP-enantiomer in the solid crystal, which is therefore optically active. This chirality is induced by a conformation of dppcb, where all four PPh₂ groups are non-equivalent. Variable-temperature ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy of dppcb confirms this explanation, since the single signal at room temperature is split into two doublets at 183 K. The goal of this article is to demonstrate the facile production of a new tetradentate phosphine from a diphosphine precursor via Pt(II) used as a template.     

Synaptic vesicles from hog brain—their isolation and the coupling between synthesis and uptake of γ-aminobutyrate by glutamate decarboxylase

Purified synaptic vesicles were isolated from hog cerebral cortex by a rapid procedure consisting of homogenization of cerebral cortex slices in iso-osmotic sucrose, differential centrifugation and sucrose density-gradient centrifugation. The purity of the vesicles was evaluated both biochemically and morphologically. The vesicles contained high amounts of γ-aminobutyrate (GABA) and acetylcholine at specific concentrations of 390 nmol/mg protein and 7.2 nmol/mg protein respectively.

Glutamate decarboxylase, the enzyme which catalyses GABA formation, binds to the synaptic vesicles in a calcium-dependent manner. The percentage of glutamate decarboxylase bound to the vesicles increases from about 5% without calcium, reaching a plateau of about 60% at 4 mM Ca²⁺. Magnesium in concentrations 0.2–10 mM has no significant effect on glutamate decarboxylase binding. Also in phospholipid vesicles (small unilamellar phosphatidylserine-phosphatidylcholine. 2:1 liposomes) Ca²⁺, but not Mg²⁺, induced the binding of glutamate decarboxylase, reaching a plateau of 50% at 2 mM Ca²⁺. Both in synaptic vesicles and in phospholipid vesicles the calcium-dependent glutamate decarboxylase binding seems to be specific, and not caused by unspecific association of proteins, since the specific binding (bound enzyme activity/mg bound protein) increases 3-fold from 0 to 4 mM Ca²⁺.

The functional role of this binding was studied in GAD containing vesicles by measuring the relationship between the accumulation of [³H]GABA, newly synthetized from [³H]glutamate, and the uptake of added [¹⁴C]GABA. No significant uptake of [¹⁴C]GABA was found under the experimental conditions used, whereas large amounts of [³H]GABA were found within the vesicles. It appears that the [³H]GABA accumulation process is functionally linked to [³H]GABA synthesis and is mediated by the membrane-bound glutamate decarboxylase. This synthesis-coupled uptake of GABA into synaptic vesicles possibly serves to bring about a plasticity effect in previously stimulated GABAergic nerve endings.