Steroid synthesizing cellular sites in the ovary of the domestic pigeon Columba livia (Gmelin): a histochemical study.

Synopsis The ovary of the domestic pigeon,Columba livia, has been assayed histochemically for the localization of ⁵-3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (⁵-3-HSDH), 17-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17-HSDH), 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6P-DH) and NADH-diaphorase activities during different periods of the reproductive cycle. ⁵-3-HSDH, 17-HSDH, 11-HSDH, G6P-DH and NADH-diaphorase activity was found in the theca interna of growing, atretic and postovulatory follicles, the granulosa of ovulatory, atretic and postovulatory follicles, and interstitial gland cells during the pre-incubation and the laying periods. During the incubation and squab feeding periods only ⁵-3-HSDH, G6P-DH and NADH-diaphorase activities were observed in the above mentioned cells. The steroidogenic potential of atretic follicles depends upon the type of atresia a follicle undergoes.     

Histochemical method for the demonstration of the activity of phosphoglucomutase

Summary A method for the demonstration of the activity of phosphoglucomutase in tissues is described. In the histochemical system the enzyme converts the substrate -D-glucose-1-phosphate to -D-glucose-6-phosphate. The resulting -D-glucose-6-phosphate is oxidized by exogenous glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase to D-glucono--lactone-6-phosphate, whereby the activity of endogenous NADPH-tetrazolium oxidoreductase reduces Nitro-BT to the slightly soluble diformazan. The problems involved in the histochemical demonstration of phosphoglucomutase are discussed.     

Lightmicroscopical histochemistry of hydrolases in the root tip of lima beans,Phaseolus lunatus L., in relation to cell differentiation and wound regeneration

Summary Acid phosphatase, -glucosidase, -galactosidase, glucosaminidase, nonspecific esterase and leucine aminopeptidase were determined histochemically in Lima bean root tips. Highest enzyme activities were observed in terminally differentiating cells, such as xylem and root cap cells and also in the rhizodermis. Meristematic and parenchymatic cells contained the lowest hydrolase activity. The histochemical enzyme pattern of developing lateral roots resembled in all details that of the main root. tip. Regenerating root tissue contained increased levels of acid phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, -glucosidase, naphthol--galactosidase and nonspecific esterase. Changes in the activity of indoxyl--galactosidase, -glucosaminidase, and leucine aminopeptidase were not observed during wound regeneration. Cell viability was monitored histochemically with succinic dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and cytochrome C oxidase.     

A quantitative histochemical study of three oxidative enzymes in solar keratoses and Bowen's disease

Synopsis Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities have been studied using quantitative enzyme histochemical techniques in the epidermis of five patients with solar keratoses and Bowen's disease. Non sun-exposed buttock skin was compared with the skin from the actual lesion and adjacent, clinically normal paralesional skin. SDH activity was significantly increased in the basal layer and decreased in the granular layer in the epidermis of both lesion and paralesional skin, although the total epidermal activities were unchanged when compared to non-exposed buttock skin. G6PDH activity was increased in the granular layer of paralesional epidermis and of lesions. No change in LDH activity was detected. Inclusion of phenazine methosulphate in the reaction mixtures resulted in a three-fold increase in formazan deposition without altering the localization.It is concluded that the quantitative changes and alteration in localization of SDH and G6PDH reported in solar keratoses are accompanied by similar changes in adjacent, clinically normal sun-exposed skin and differ from normal non-exposed skin. It is suggested that these changes may precede the development of the solar keratoses and that these findings may indicate a significant metabolic alteration in the events that lead to neoplasia.     

The influence of temperature on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and the regulation of these enzymes in a mesophilic and a thermophilic cyanobacterium

The activities and kinetics of the enzymes G6PDH (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) and 6PGDH (6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) from the mesophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus 6307 and the thermophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus 6716 are studied in relation to temperature. In Synechococcus 6307 the apparent K _m's are for G6PDH: 80M (substrate) and 20M (NADP⁺); for 6PGDH: 90M (substrate) and 25M (NADP⁺). In Synechococcus 6716 the apparent K _m's are for G6PDH: 550M (substrate) and 30M (NADP⁺); for 6PGDH: 40M (substrate) and 10M (NADP⁺). None of the K _m's is influenced by the growth temperature and only the K _m's of G6PDH for G6P are influenced by the assay temperature in both organisms. The idea that, in general, thermophilic enzymes possess a lower affinity for their substrates and co-enzymes than mesophilic enzymes is challenged.Although ATP, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate, NADPH and pH can all influence the activities of G6PDH and 6PGDH to a certain extent (without any difference between the mesophilic and the thermophilic strain), they cannot be responsible for the total deactivation of the enzyme activities observed in the light, thus blocking the pentose phosphate pathway.Abbreviations G6PDH glucose-6-phosphate, dehydrogenase - 6PGDH 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase - G6P glucose-6-phosphate - 6PG 6-phosphogluconate - RUDP ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate - Tricine N-Tris (hydroxymethyl)-methylglycine     

Enzyme activity profiles in an overwintering population of freeze-tolerant larvae of the gall fly,Eurosta solidaginis

The activity of some enzymes of intermediary metabolism, including enzymes of glycolysis, the hexose monophosphate shunt, and polyol cryoprotectant synthesis, were measured in freeze-tolerant Eurosta solidaginis larvae over a winter season and upon entry into pupation. Flexible metabolic rearrangement was observed concurrently with acclimatization and development. Profiles of enzyme activities related to the metabolism of the cryoprotectant glycerol indicated that fall biosynthesis may occur from two possible pathways: 1. glyceraldehyde-phosphate glyceraldehyde glycerol, using glyceraldehyde phosphatase and NADPH-linked polyol dehydrogenase, or 2. dihydroxyacetonephosphate glycerol-3-phosphate glycerol, using glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and glycerol-3-phosphatase. Clearance of glycerol in the spring appeared to occur by a novel route through the action of polyol dehydrogenase and glyceraldehyde kinase. Profiles of enzyme activities associated with sorbitol metabolism suggested that this polyol cryoprotectant was synthesized from glucose-6-phosphate through the action of glucose-6-phosphatase and NADPH-linked polyol dehydrogenase. Removal of sorbitol in the spring appeared to occur through the action of sorbitol dehydrogenase and hexokinase. Glycogen phosphorylase activation ensured the required flow of carbon into the synthesis of both glycerol and sorbitol. Little change was seen in the activity of glycolytic or hexose monophosphate shunt enzymes over the winter. Increased activity of the -glycerophosphate shuttle in the spring, indicated by greatly increased glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, may be key to removal and oxidation of reducing equivalents generated from polyol cryoprotectan catabolism.Abbreviations 6PGDH 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase - DHAP dihydroxy acetone phosphate - F6P fructose-6-phosphate - F6Pase fructose-6-phospha-tase - FBPase fructose-bisphosphatase - G3P glycerol-3-phosphate - G3Pase glycerol-3-phosphate phophatase - G3PDH glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase - G6P glucose-6-phosphate - G6Pase glucose-6-phosphatase - G6PDH glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase - GAK glyceraldehyde kinase - GAP glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate - GAPase glyceraldehyde-3-phosphatase - GAPDH glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase - GDH glycerol dehydrogenase - GPase glycogen phosphorylase - HMS hexose monophosphate shunt - LDH lactate dehydrogenase - NADP-IDH NADP⁺-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase - PDHald polyol dehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde activity - PDHgluc polyol dehydrogenase, glucose activity - PFK phosphofructokinase - PGI phosphoglucoisomerase - PGK phosphoglycerate kinase - PGM phosphoglucomutase - PK pyruvate kinase - PMSF phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride - SoDH sorbitol dehydrogenase - V _max maximal enzyme activity - ww wet weight     

Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate binds to a lysine residue in the adenosine 3′-phosphate 5′-phosphosulfate recognition site of glycolipid sulfotransferase from human renal cancer cells

In the course of characterization of glycolipid sulfotransferase from human renal cancer cells, the manner of inhibition of sulfotransferase activity with pyridoxal 5-phosphate was investigated. Incubation of a partially purified sulfotransferase preparation with pyridoxal 5-phosphate followed by reduction with NaBH₄ resulted in an irreversible inactivation of the enzyme. When adenosine 3-phosphate 5-phosphosulfate was co-incubated with pyridoxal 5-phosphate, the enzyme was protected against this inactivation. Furthermore, pyridoxal 5-phosphate was found to behave as a competitive inhibitor with respect to adenosine 3-phosphate 5-phosphosulfate with aK _i value of 287 µm. These results suggest that pyridoxal 5-phosphate modified a lysine residue in the adenosine 3-phosphate 5-phosphosulfate-recognizing site of the sulfotransferase.     

Steroid dehydrogenases in the adrenal gland of four species of birds: a histochemical study

Synopsis The presence of⁵-3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, II-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase has been demonstrated histochemically in the adrenal gland of the rain quailCoturnix coromendalica, barn owlTyto alba, brown crakeAmaurornis akool and painted partidgeFrancholinus pictus. All these enzymes occurred in the inter-renal cells. No activity was observed in the chromaffin cells. It is suggested that the inter-renal cells of these four species of birds are capable of synthesizing both corticosteroids and sex steroids.     

Purification and characterization of mouse glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase

Summary Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was purified to homogeneity from testes and kidneys of the inbred strain of mice (DBA/2J) by a simple two-step affinity column procedure. This involved the sequential application of 8-(6-aminohexyl)-amino-AMP-and -2, 5-ADP-Sepharose columns and biospecific elution with NADP⁺ in both steps. The molecular and biochemical properties of the purified enzyme were studied in detail. These include the molecular weight determination, amino acid composition, steady-state kinetics, inactivation by high temperature, urea and iodoacetate, and immunology. The purified enzyme from mouse kidneys or testes was shown to be a tetramer with a molecular weight of 220,000. The enzyme is highly specific for glucose-6-phosphate, exhibits almost no activity with NAD⁺ as a coenzyme and is little inhibited by AMP or ATP. Michaelis constants for glucose-6-phosphate and NADP⁺ were determined to be 50 m and 10 m respectively. NADPH is a competitive inhibitor of NADP⁺ and has a K_i of 18 µm. Rabbit antisera against glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were raised. The antisera also cross-react with the same enzyme from human and guinea pig.     

Adoptions expérimentales de larves entre des fourmis de genres différents (II):Myrmica laevinodis Nylander etAnergates atratulus Schenck

Résumé Nous avons fait élever des larves d'Anergates atratulus par des ouvrières deMyrmica laevinodis à 22°C. Pour y parvenir, il n'est pas utile de faire hivernerensemble les larves d'Anergates et les ouvrières deMyrmica. La présence de larves autochtones n'empêche pas lesMyrmica d'élever des larves d'Anergates. Dans toutes les expériences lesMyrmica ont été soumises au fridavant de recevoir des larves d'Anergates. Aucune reine deMyrmica n'a été utilisée dans ces expériences.Sur les 64 larves d'Anergates que nous avons utilisées, 38 se sont transformées en imagos. C'est au début de l'adoption et au moment des métamorphoses que périrent la plupart des 26Anergates perdus. Les femelles vécurent en général 2 ou 3 jours et cherchèrent très tôt à quitter le nid natal. Les mâles vécurent 2 à 3 semaines.

---

Summary Larvae ofAnergates atratulus were experimentally reared by workers ofMyrmica laevinodis, at 22°C. An overwintering of both larvae ofAnergates and workers ofMyrmica is not necessary for the success of that experiment. The presence of larvae ofMyrmica does not keep theMyrmica from rearing larvae ofAnergates. The workers ofMyrmica have been cooled, in all the experiments, before receiving larvae ofAnergates. No queen ofMyrmica have been used in that experiments.38 of the 64 larvae ofAnergates used became imagos. Most of the 26 lostAnergates died at the beginning of the adoption and during the metamorphosis. The females lived generally 2 or 3 days and tried, very early, to leave their native nest. The males lived 2 or 3 weeks.

---

Anergates atratulus Myrmica laevinodis, 22 . bmecme Anergates Myrmica. Myrmica Anergates. Myrmica Anergates. Myrmica . 64 Anergates , 38 . 26 Anergates 2 3 . 2 3 .

     

Characterization of maltose biosynthesis from α-d-glucose-1-phosphate in Spinacia oleracea. L.

The de novo synthesis of maltose in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) was shown to be catalyzed by a maltose synthase, which converts two molecules of -d-glucose-1-phosphate (-G1P) (K_m 1.5 mmol l^-1) to maltose and 2 orthophosphate (Pi). This enzyme was purified 203-fold by fractionated ammonium sulfate precipitation and by column chromatography on Sepharose 6B. The addition of -G1P (15 mmol l^-1) to the isolation buffer is required to stabilize the enzyme activity during the extraction and purification procedure. Molecular weight determination by gel filtration yielded a value of 95,000. -Gluconolactone, ATP and Pi are competitive inhibitors toward the substrate -G1P. The maltose synthase catalyzes an exchange of the phosphate group of -G1P with [³²P] orthophosphate; this transfer reaction suggests that the synthesis of maltose occurs via a glucose-enzyme in a double displacement reaction. The physiological role of this enzyme as a starch initiator system is discussed.Abbreviations Fru fructose - Glc glucose - -G1P -d-glucose-1-phosphate - -G1P -d-glucose-1-phosphate - G6P d-glucose-6-phosphate This enzyme is tentatively called maltose synthase in this publication     

Age-related effects in enzyme catalysis

Summary Rat muscle glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is one of several enzymes which have been found to undergo age-related modifications. While the amount of this enzyme in muscle tissue does not change with age, both its specific activity and affinity towards its co-enzyme are significantly reduced in the old tissue.Age-related structural changes were found to exist in the nicotinamide binding site of the enzyme and the reactions leading to the activity loss in old glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase were shown to involve a reversible modification of the essential cysteine-149 residue at the active site of the enzyme. The aging effects were simulated by a controlled oxidation of cys-149 in samples of young glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and subsequent reduction of this residue by 2-mercaptoethanol. The enzyme modified in this way closely resembles native old glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, indicating that the structural modifications in the latter enzyme are indeed introduced by a post-translational process. The mechanism for aging of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase which is proposed, based on these observations, thus assumes an oxidation of cys-149 as its first step followed by irreversible conformational changes in the enzyme molecule. The aging of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase may thus be triggered by the reduced ability of old muscle tissue to protect its constituents against oxidation.Abbreviations CPL circular polarization of luminescence - DTNB 5,5-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) - GPDH D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase - ENAD⁺ nicotinamide 1,N⁶-ethenoadenine dinucleotide     

Evaluation of an exotic maize population adapted to a locality

Summary An exotic Zea mays L. population (Tuxpeno) was adapted to North Carolina conditions by first introducing genes for adaptability from two North Carolina varieties ([(Jarvis X Indian Chief)Tuxpeno]Tuxpeno) including four generations of intermating, and then selecting for adaptability using maturity as the primary measure. The study evaluated selection for adaptability and the diversity available between adapted Tuxpeno and the local varieties, Jarvis and Indian Chief. Analytical procedures were developed to quantify the diversity between populations and the complementation of local varieties by introduced germ plasms. The analyses utilized the specific effects available from the diallel mating design.Three replicate selections responded similarly under simple recurrent mass selection (1/10) for the earliest disease-free plants initially and additionally for plant types (primarily height) in the final generation. The 1/4 local germ plasm permitted rapid adaptation of Tuxpeno gene pool to local conditions. The adapted Tuxpeno populations yielded similarly to the local populations with an average heterosis for grain yield of 28% when crossed to the local populations used as source of genes for adaptability. The diversity found between adapted Tuxpeno lines and these local varieties based on genes affecting grain yield was 1.5 to 2.5 times that measured between the local varieties (Jarvis and Indian Chief). Diversity lost through intergradation with local material was a reasonable investment. Yield genes introduced from Tuxpeno complemented local gene pools through nonadditive, primarily dominance-associated, gene effects. Reassortment of major gene blocks apparently occurred leading to significant divergence among replicate selections involving both additive-associated and dominance-associated gene effects.Paper No. 6355 of the North Carolina Agri. Res. Ser., Raleigh, NC. Research supported in collaboration with the Rockefeller Foundation and CIMMYT, D.F. (Mexico)     

Localization of adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase in spinach leaves

Roots of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) seedlings contained only a very low activity of adenosine 5-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase compared to the cotyledons. Adenosine 5-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase activity increased about tenfold in cotyledons during greening. Preparation of organelle fractions from spinach leaves by a combination of differential and isopycnic density gradient centrifugation showed that adenosine 5-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase banded with NADP-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, a marker enzyme for intact chloroplasts. In the fractions of peroxisomes, mitochondria and broken chloroplasts virtually no adenosine 5-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase activity was measured. Comparison with the chloroplast enzyme NADP-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase indicates that in spinach, adenosine 5-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase is localized almost exclusively in the chloroplasts.Abbreviations APS Adenosine 5-phosphosulfate - APSSTase Adenosine 5-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase - BSA Bovine serum albumin - BRIJ58 Polyethylene glycolmonostearylether - DTE Dithioerythritol - DTT Dithiothreitol - EDTA Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - ME 2-Mercaptoethanol - NADP-GPD NADP-linked glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase - PAPS Adenosine 3-phosphate 5-phosphate 5-phosphosulfate - POPOP 1,4 Di [2-(5-phenyloxazolyl)]-benzene - PPO 2,5-Diphenyloxazol The results presented in this paper are taken from the Ph. D. thesis of H.F.     

Factors influencing the isotopically exchangeable phosphate in soils

Summary The labile phosphate in a non-calcareous and a slightly calcareous soil was determined by isotopic exchange in the presence and absence of 0.001 molar solutions of a chelating and a non-chelating organic anion. The rate of isotopic exchange curves were analyzed graphically to sub-divide the labile phosphate into 3 or 4 fractions. The half-lives of exchange for the rapid, medium and slow fractions were between 0.3 to 1.6 hours, 1.8 to 8.6 hours and 25.8 to 46.1 hours respectively. In addition, an instantaneously-exchanging component was sometimes observed.In the presence of the citrate ion, the total labile phosphate was increased in the non-calcareous soil and decreased in the calcareous soil, whereas the diethyl barbiturate ion (DEB) anions decreased the total labile phosphate in both soils. In general, the citrate ion increased the rapid and the medium fractions whereas the DEB anion either did not affect them or decreased them. Again, whereas citrate always increased the phosphate in solution, the effect of DEB anions depended on the soil. The major effect of the organic anions was to greatly decrease the slowly-exchanging fraction in both soils.The half-lives of exchange for the rapid, medium and slow fractions were in the order no organic anion > citrate > barbiturate and the rate constants for a first-order mechanism were in the order no organic anion < barbiturate < citrate.Small but significant differences were observed between the two soils.     

Light and electron microscopic study of adenosine triphosphatase activity of anuran tadpole musculature

Summary The histochemical activities of succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) and Ca⁺⁺-activated ATPase (pHs 7.4 and 9.4) were studied in the larval tail musculature of Rana japonica, Rana catesbeiana and Rana ornativentris. The ATPase reaction product was detected by both light and electron microscopy. Red and white muscle fibres, as distinguished by SDH, showed high and low Ca⁺⁺-ATPase reaction, respectively, at pHs 7.4, 9.4 and following preincubation in cold K₂-EDTA solution. The ultrastructural investigation of CA⁺⁺-ATPase reaction at pH 7.4 by the Ca⁺⁺-citrophosphate technique demonstrated electron-dense reaction product in association with A, I and Z bands, intermyofibrillar (SR) compartment and the mitochondrial inner chamber. However, Pb⁺⁺ precipitation technique demonstrated Mg⁺⁺-activated myosin ATPase activity at pH 9.2 ultrastructurally. The present histochemical data suggest that the anuran larval tail red muscle fibres are possible slow, and emphasize a possible lack of correlation between the speed of contraction with their ATPase activity. Moreover, red muscle fibres of the anuran tail musculature are not equivalent to Type I fibres of higher chordates.     

Synthesis of Gal-β-(1→4)-GlcNAc-β-(1→6)-[Gal-β- (1→3)]-GalNAc-α-OBn oligosaccharides bearing O-methyl or O-sulfo groups at C-3 of the Gal residue: specific acceptors for Gal: 3-O-sulfotransferases

Our recent studies have revealed the existence of two distinct Gal: 3-O-sulfotransferases capable of acting on the C-3 position of galactose in a Core 2 branched structure, e.g., Gal14GlcNAc16(Gal13)GalNac1OBenzyl as acceptor to give 3-O-sulfoGal14GlcNAc13(Gal13)GalNAc1OB 20 and Gal14GlcNAc16(3-O-sulfoGal13)GalNAc1OB 23. We herein report the synthesis of these two compounds and also that of other modified analogs that are highly specific acceptors for the two sulfotransferases. Appropriately protected 1-thio-glycosides 7, 8, and 10 were employed as glycosyl donors for the synthesis of our target compounds.     

Effects of 17β-estradiol on the distribution and activity of some oxydative enzymes of uterine and cervical epithelium in neonatal mice

Summary The following enzymes were studied histochemically in uterine and cervical epithelium from neonatal mice treated with 17-estradiol for the first four days after birth: NADH-, NADPH-, succinate-, -glycerophosphate-, lactate-, glucose-6-phosphate-, and 17-OH-steroid dehydrogenases.It was demonstrated that estradiol administration had a marked influence on distribution and activity of several of the enzymes compared with the control animals. In cervix there was an increase of activity for most of the enzymes, especially in the apical parts of the epithelium cells. The uterine epithelium was also estradiol sensitive as regards most enzymes, and in the case of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase there was a dramatic enhancement of reaction in the uterus of the experimental animals. The differences obtained between cervical and uterine epithelium are described.17-OH-steroid dehydrogenase could not be detected histochemically in the present material.Supported by the Norwegian Research Council for Science and the Humanities.     

Histochemical studies on the distribution of β-glucuronidase and succinic dehydrogenase in young and old spinal ganglion cells of the rat

Summary The present study compares the distribution of -glucuronidase and succinic dehydrogenase in young and old spinal ganglion cells of rat. In young cells there are indications of cyclic activity of these enzymes, i.e., in some stages there are perinuclear concentrations of the enzymes, at other times -glucuronidase and succinic dehydrogenase are uniformly distributed throughout the cytoplasm. These stages have been discussed with the identical distribution of mitochondria. However, in old spinal ganglion cells both -glucuronidase and succinic dehydrogenase become mainly concentrated in the pigment areas, suggesting thereby their possible role in the production of pigment, through the medium of the mitochondria.