Pharmacological experiments demonstrate that toad (Bufo marinus) atrial beta-adrenoceptors are not identical with mammalian beta2- or beta1-adrenoceptors

Chronotropic responses to symphathomimetic amines of isolated atrial preparations from toads ($\text{Bufo marinus}$) were mediated by β-adrenoceptors since isoprenaline was more potent than adrenaline and noradrenaline, and propranolol was a potent antagonist (pA₂, adrenaline as agonist = 9.33). The β-adrenoceptors had some of the characteristics of mammalian β₂-adrenoceptors in that (i) adrenaline was more potent than noradrenaline and (ii) the pA₂ values of two selective β-adrenoceptor antagonists, atenolol (pA₂ = 5.84) and α-methylpropranolol (pA₂ = 8.42), were close to the values reported on β₂-adrenoceptors in mammalian tissues. However, the relative potencies of adrenaline, isoprenaline, noradrenaline, rimiterol, salbutamol and fenoterol (1 : 45.8 : 0.07 : 3.3 : 1.05 : 0.32) did not correspond to the relative potencies reported for these agonist on mammalian tissues which contain predominantly β₂-adrenoceptors. Also the pA₂ value for the β₂-selective antagonist, ICI 118,551 (7.89, adrenaline as agonist) was lower than its reported pA₂ on β₂-adrenoceptors in mammalian tissues. There was no evidence that the response was mediated by both β₁-andβ₂-adrenoceptors since Schild plots for ICI 118,551 using three agonists of differing selectivity (adrenaline, rimiterol and noradrenaline) weer superimposed. It is concluded that, although toad atrial β-adrenoceptors have several characteristics in common with β₂-adrenoceptors in mammalian tissues, these amphibian β-adrenoceptors are not identical with mammalian β₂-adrenoceptors.     

Naloxone antagonism of phenoxybenzamine antinociception in the mouse tail stimulation test.

Phenoxybenzamine was antinociceptive in the mouse tail electrical stimulation assay (ED50, 36.8 mg/kg) with a peak effect at $\text{2}\text{1}\text{2}$ hours after subcutaneous injection. Naloxone antagonized this antinociception action of phenoxybenzamine in a dose-related manner. Dose-ratio analysis of naloxone's antagonism of phenoxybenzamine antinociception gave a pA₂ value of 6.15, similar to that found for the benzomorphinan mixed agonist-antagonists. This is in agreement with the sodium response ratio found for phenoxybenzamine, 4.3, in $\text{in vitro}$ assays of phenoxybenzamine inhibition of ³H-naloxone binding to mouse brain homogenate (5). These findings suggest that phenoxybenzamine binds to the opiate receptor both $\text{in vivo}$ as well as $\text{in vitro}$ in a manner similar to the mixed agonist-antagonists.     

P1-purinoceptor antagonism by clonidine in the rat caecum

Adenosine as well as 2-chloroadenosine induced concentration-dependent relaxation of the rat caecum. Although clonidine (10^?9?10?⁶M) did not exhibit any effect $\text{per se}$ yet it shifted the concentration-response curve for adenosine as well as 2-chloroadenosine to the right in a parallel fashion without diminishing the maximal response. The pA₂ value for the interaction of clonidine with adenosine was found to be 8.71 (slope 0.92). Guanfacine, another alpha₂ agonist, did not modify the adenosine-, 2-chloroadenosine-induced relaxant effects. These observations indicated that clonidine blocks P₁-purinoceptors competitively without any involvement of alpha₂-receptors.     

Synchronized breeding in cattle using PGF2α and LHRH/FSHRH stimulatory analogs

Two studies were conducted to synchronize breeding in cattle using PGF₂α and LHRH/FSHRH analogs. In the first study, 60 mature lactating Angus cows were assigned at random to 4 treatment groups: saline and saline (SS); 30 mg PGF₂α tham salt + saline (PS); saline + 2 mg D-ala⁶-des-GlyNH₂¹⁰ LHRH/FSHRH ethylamide (D-ala⁶) (SA); 30 mg PGF₂α tham salt + 2 mg D-ala⁶ (PA). The first letter of the two-letter code for each group always indicates a dual injection at an 11-day interval. PGF₂α or saline was administered intramuscular (im) twice at an 11 day interval. D-ala⁶ or saline was administered 48 hr after PGF₂α treatment. In the SA group, the D-ala⁶ was administered at first signs of estrus, and cows were then artificially inseminated (AI) 24 hr later. All cows in the PS group were inseminated 72 hr after the second PGF₂α injection. In the SS group, cows were inseminated 24 hr after first signs of estrus. An additional 6 mature lactating Angus cows were added equally to the PS and PA groups to evaluate changes in serum LH. The percent calf crops was: SS = 40% (frsol|6/15); PS = 47% ($\text{7}\text{15}$); SA = 47% ($\text{7}\text{15}$); PA = 53% ($\text{8}\text{15}$). In the second study, 51 mature lactating Angus cows and 39 Holstein heifers were assigned at random to 3 treatment groups: saline + saline (SS); 33.4 mg PGF₂α tham salt + saline (PS); 33.4 mg PGF₂α tham salt + 1 mg D-leu⁶-des GlyNH₂¹⁰ LHRH/FSHRH ethylamide (D-leu⁶) (PL). PGF₂α tham salt or saline was administered im twice at an 11 day interval. D-leu⁶ or saline was administered 68 hr following the second PGF₂α treatment. Cows pretreated with PGF₂α were inseminated 80 hr after the second PGF₂α injection. In the SS group, cows were administered saline at the time of natural estrus and were artificially inseminated 12 hr later. Calving percent to the first AI was SS = 70% ($\text{21}\text{30}$); PS = 53% ($\text{16}\text{30}$) and PL = 40% ($\text{12}\text{30}$). An additional 10 mature lactating Angus cows were used to evaluate changes in serum LH. Five of the cows were assigned to the PS treatment and five to the PL treatment. Sequential blood samples were collected to monitor serum LH levels. Using the Chi-square test, there were no significant differences between calving percentages of the control and PGF₂α treated cows in either study. These results indicate that the PGF₂α treatments were successful in timed artificial insemination of cows without detection of estrus. The LHRH/FSHRH analogs did not improve the conception even though they appear to induce a pituitary release of LH simultaneously in all cows within 1 hr of treatment.     

Acute inhibition of microsomal drug metabolism by propoxyphene in narcotic tolerant/dependent mice

Propoxyphene (Darvon) was compared to SKF 525-A, a prototypical inhibitor of hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidases, to assess propoxyphene's potential to inhibit drug metabolism in morphine tolerant/dependent mice. $\text{In vitro}$, both propoxyphene (K_i = 3.5 × 10^?5M) and SKF 525-A (K_i = 4.3 × 10^?6M) inhibited the activity of aminopyrine N-demethylase competitively in hepatic microsomes from tolerant/dependent animals. Propoxyphene and SKF 525-A were weaker, noncompetitive inhibitors of aniline hydroxylase activity. $\text{In vivo}$, equimolar doses (0.24 mmoles/kg, i.p.) of each compound inhibited both of the above monooxygenases in the 10,000$\text{g}$ supernatant fractions of livers from the tolerant/ dependent animals. Propoxyphene was 40–50% as potent an inhibitor of these activities as SKF 525-A. A dose (300 mg/kg) of propoxyphene napsylate, shown to prevent narcotic abstinence signs with no observable toxicity in withdrawing mice, significantly prolonged the blood levels of injected pentobarbital and tripled pentobarbital sleeping time in these animals. When administered at 300 mg/kg chronically, propoxyphene napsylate acted as an inducer of its own metabolism. Propoxyphene napsylate, then, given acutely to narcotic tolerant/dependent mice, is a potent inhibitor of microsomal drug metabolizing capacity. Given chronically, it enhances this capability.     

Evidence that ICI 118, 551 is a potent, highly Beta 2-selective adrenoceptor antagonist and can be used to characterize Beta-adrenoceptor populations in tissues

pA₂ values for a new ß-adrenoceptor antagonist, ICI 118, 551 (erythro-DL-1(7-methylindan-4-yloxy)-3-isopropylaminobutan-2-o1), have been obtained on intrinsic tone tracheal chain preparations and on spontaneously beating atrial preparations from guinea-pigs. Two different agonists, fenoterol (ß₂-selective) and noradrenaline (ß₁-selective) were used. The slopes of the Schild plots were not significantly different from 1.0. The antagonist was very potent (pA₂ on trachea, fenoterol as agonist, was 8.69) and also highly ß₂-selective (pA₂ on atria, noradrenaline as agonist, was only 6.96). On guinea-pig trachea (which contains ß₁- and ß₂-adrenoceptors) the potency was 44 times higher when fenoterol was the agonist than when noradrenaline was the agonist. On guinea-pig atria (which contains only ß₁-adrenoceptors) the pA₂ value was the same whichever agonist was used. Thus ICI 118, 551 has been shown to be potent and the most ß₂-selective antagonist so far studied in our laboratory. In experiments carried out with selective agonists ICI 118, 551 distinguished clearly between tissues with a mixed ß-adrenoceptor population (different pA₂ values) and those with a homogeneous population (single pA₂ value). Therefore, ICI 118, 551 is a valuable addition to the group of ß₂-selective adrenoceptor antagonists.     

Luteal progesterone and prostaglandin F2α production invitro during fluprostenol-induced luteolysis in the mare

Prostaglandin F₂α (PGF₂α) release $\text{in}$$\text{vitro}$ by luteal tissue from mares was quantified to determine if exogenous prostaglandin analog increased endogenous luteal PGF₂α production during induced luteolysis. On day 8 after ovulation, luteal tissue was collected by flank laparotomy and endometrium was collected by uterine biopsy. Mares were assigned to one of four treatments: (1) no intramuscular injection at 0-hr (n = 5), (2) 250 μg Fluprostenol (ICI 81008 PGF₂α analog) at 4-hr (n = 4), (3) 250 μg Fluprostenol at 12-hr (n = 5), or (4) 250 μg Fluprostenol at 28-hr (n = 5) prior to tissue collection at laparotomy. Blood was collected from a jugular vein at laparotomy. Luteal and endometrial tissues (100-mg minces) were incubated in duplicate in 5 ml of Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer (pH 7.4) in an ice bath in an air atmosphere or at 37°C in an atmosphere of 95% O₂:5% CO₂. The incubation treatments consisted of: no treatment, indomethacin 1.3 × 10^?4M, 1 μg/ml of arachidonic acid, 10 μg/ml of Fluprostenol, and 100 μM dbc-AMP (Fluprostenol was not added to endometrial tissue incubations). The injection of Fluprostenol induced luteolysis in these mares as indicated by decreased plasma progesterone and luteal tissue progesterone production (P<0.01). Luteal PGF₂α production was only detectable in tissue from mares that had been injected with Fluprostenol; production reached a maximum by 12 hr post-injection and had returned to pre-treatment levels by 28 hr (P<0.01). Endometrial tissue produced PGF₂α, but this activity was not significantly affected by injection of mares with Fluprostenol. Increased production of PGF₂α by luteal tissue of mares during PGF₂α analog induced luteolysis was similar to that observed in the pig and ewe.     

Effects of 19-hydroxy-prostaglandins on oviductal and uterine motility

The effects of 19-hydroxy-prostaglandins (19-OH-PGs) were tested $\text{in}$$\text{vivo}$ on the rabbit oviduct and uterus and on the rhesus monkey ($\text{Macaca}$$\text{mulatta}$) uterus. The 19-OH-PGEs suppressed spontaneous oviductal and uterine activity in the rabbit. The qualitative effect on the rabbit oviduct of 19-OH-PGEs was similar to that of PGE₂. However, the typical response of the rabbit uterus to PGE₂ was an increase in muscle activity. With regard to the rabbit oviduct, 19(R)-OH-PGE₂ was as potent as PGE₂, but 19(S)-OH-PGE₂ was approximately $\text{1}\text{2}$ as potent as PGE₂. Based on the dose of 19-OH-PGEs usually required to cause a minimal suppression and the dose of PGE₂ required to cause a minimal stimulation of rabbit uterine activity, 19(R)-OH-PGE₂ was twice as potent as PGE₂ while 19(S)-OH-PGE₂ was $\text{1}\text{2}$ as potent as PGE₂. Stimulatory effects on the rabbit oviduct and uterus were observed following administration of 19-OH-PGEs and PGF_2α. The potency on the rabbit oviduct of 19(S)-OH-PGF_2α was about $\text{1}\text{5}$ to $\text{1}\text{10}$ that of PGF_2α; the potency of 19(R)-OH-PGF_2α was about $\text{1}\text{10}$ to $\text{1}\text{20}$ that of PGF_2α. Both 19-OH-PGFs were approximately $\text{1}\text{5}$ to $\text{1}\text{10}$ as potent as PGF_2α on the rabbit uterus. At the doses tested 19-OH-PGFs were inactive on the monkey uterus. Thus, these compounds are at least $\text{1}\text{5}$ as active as PGF_2α. In contrast, 19(R)-OH-PGE₂ had approximately the same potency as PGE₂ in stimulating monkey uterine activity; but 19(S)-OH-PGE₂ was approximately $\text{1}\text{3}$ as potent as PGE₂.     

Parallel activation of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in two human gut adenocarcinoma cells (HT 29 and HRT 18) in culture,by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and other effectors activating the cyclic AMP system

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), secretin, catecholamines and prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁) in the presence of a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor stimulate the accumulation of cyclic AMP in two colorectal carcinoma cell lines (HT 29 and HRT 18) with subsequent activation of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases. In HT 29 cells incubated without phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 10^?9 M VIP promotes a rapid and specific activation of the low $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>m</mtext>}}$ cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (1.7-fold); at 25°C the effect is maintained for more than 15 min, while at 37°C the activity returns to basal value within 15 min. As shown by dose-response studies, VIP is by far the most effective inducer ($\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}\text{= 4 · 10}{}^{\mathrm{?10}}\text{M}$) of the cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity; partial activation of the enzyme is obtained by 3 · 10^?7 M secretin, 10^?5 M isoproterenol and 10^?5 M PGE₁; PGE₂ and epinephrine are without effect. In HRT 18 cells VIP is less active ($\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}\text{= 2 · 10}{}^{\mathrm{?9}}\text{M}$) whereas 10^?6 M PGE₁, 10^?6 M PGE₂ and 10^?5 M epinephrine are potent inducers of the phosphodiesterase activity. The positive cell response to dibutyryl-cyclic AMP further indicates that cyclic AMP is a mediator in the phosphodiesterase activation process. The incubation kinetics and dose response effects of the various agonists on the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity determined for both cell types in the same conditions show a striking similarity to those of phosphodiesterase. Thus coordinate regulation of both enzymes by cyclic AMP was observed in all incubation conditions.     

Prostaglandins of the F series are extremely powerful growth factors for primary neonatal rat hepatocytes

At low concentrations (i.e., 10^?12–10^?9 mol/l), PGF_1α and PGF_2α very intensely stimulated both the DNA-synthetic and mitotic activities of hepatocytes in 4-day-old primary cultures of neonatral rat liver. DNA replication was more intensely enhanced by PGF_2α than by PGF_1α, whereas mitotic activity was nearly equally affected by the two prostaglandins. On the whole, the growth-promoting activity of PGF_1α used by itself or in equimolar mixtures with other prostaglandins ($\text{e}$. $\text{g}$., A₁, E₁, $\text{etc}$.) mimicked that of arachidonic acid we previously reported (1). On a molar basis, PGF_2α by itself stimulated hepatocytes′ DNA synthesis is more powerfully than arachidonate did, and when used in equimolar mixtures with other prostaglandins was at least as potent as arachidonic acid. These observations establish prostaglandins of the F series as quite powerful commitment factors and, though by a lesser degree, also intracycle regulators for neonatal rat hepatocytes in primary culture. However, the understanding of the role(s) of prostaglandins of F and other series in the physiological control of hepatocytes′ proliferative activation must wait the clarification of their interaction(s) with other arachidonate derivative(s) and polypeptide growth factor(s) which also may be involved in the process.     

Identification of a structural hairpin in the filamentous chimeric phage M13Gori1

Crystals of alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1; M_r 94,000) grown at pH 9.5 from 2.25 m-(NH₄)₂SO₄ with 5 × 10^?5 m-Zn and 10^?2 m-Mg present were analyzed by X-ray diffraction at pH 7.5 in 2.66 m-(NH₄)₂SO₄ with 10^?2 m-Zn and 10^?2 m-Mg present. The crystals are orthorhombic with $\text{a = 195.5}\text{A}\text{?}\text{, b = 168.3}\text{A}\text{?}\text{and}\text{c = 76.33}\text{A}\text{?}$, and the space group is I222. X-ray phases were determined by the multiple isomorphous replacement and anomalous dispersion method using K₂PtCl₄, KAu(CN)₂ and K₂OsO₄ derivatives. The electron density maps and analysis of metal binding sites reveal one molecule per asymmetric unit with an internal, non-crystallographic, 2-fold rotation axis relating the subunits. Each subunit contains a major $\text{α}\text{β}$ domain with a seven-stranded β-sheet flanked by helices. The sheets are roughly coplanar but the general direction of the strands in each is at 20 ° to the rotation axis and thus 40 ° from each other. The helical content of the $\text{α}\text{β}$ domain is approximately 27% of the 459 residues in the monomer and the β content is approximately 7%. The chains in a smaller domain are more convoluted and less easily characterized than in the $\text{α}\text{β}$ domain. In both there is extensive monomer-monomer contact.Removal of the zinc and magnesium from the parent crystal produces a stable apoenzyme crystal and addition of cobalt at 10^?2 m or cadmium at 10^?2 or 5 × 10^?2 m reveals seven metal binding sites per dimer. The active centers are 32 Å apart and each is shown by anomalous dispersion data to contain two metal binding sites, A and B. The cadmium derivative refinement determined the A-B separation to be 4.9 Å. Comparison of the parent and apo structures by means of difference maps reveals the double metal site with Zn at A and probably Mg at B. A prominent, partially resolved peak centered 7 Å away is interpreted as a stabilization of the backbone in this position by the metal ion co-ordination to a side-chain. Several negative peaks within 10 Å of the metals indicate local differences between apo and native structures but no significant differences are seen in the other parts of the molecule. At 5 × 10^?2 m-Cd two metal sites (D and D′) are found 25.5 Å from the active center, on the surface of the minor domain. They are related to each other by the molecular 2-fold axis with a D-D′ distance of 25 Å. The seventh Cd site, E, is 20 Å from the active center, on the major domain, near a crystalline contact region, and devoid of any molecular symmetry mate.The apparent dissociation constants for cadmium at the A, B and D sites (and A′, B′, D′) are 3 × 10^?3 m, 1.5 × 10^?1 m and 1.3 × 10^?2 m, respectively. Thus in these conditions cadmium is seen to distribute between A and B sites when the combined stoichiometry is two metal ions per dimer.     

Crystals of a bovine neurophysin II-dipeptide amide complex.

Bovine neurophysin II, a hormone carrier protein, has been crystallized as a binary complex with l-phenylalanyl-l-tyrosine amide, a peptide known to bind neurophysin at its hormone binding site. The crystals belong to space group P2₁2₁2₁ with cell constants of $\text{a = 121.6(10)}\text{A}\text{?}\text{, b = 67·9(6)}\text{A}\text{?}\text{and}\text{c = 62·1(6)}\text{A}\text{?}$. The density of the crystal is 1.156 g/cm³. There is a tetramer or two dimers in an asymmetric unit.     

The synthesis of 13-cis-dl-erythro-15, 16-dihydroxyprostaglandins

Both pairs of $\text{dl}$-ll-desoxy- and $\text{dl}$-13-$\text{cis}$-$\text{erythro}$-15, 16-dihydroxyprostaglandins have been synthesized via 1,4-conjugate additions of an appropriately functionalized $\text{cis}$-vinyl cuprate to the requisite cyclopentenone. These prostaglandin analogs are considerably less potent than PGE₂ as gastric secretion inhibitors or as bronchodilators.     

Oxygen dependent and independent steps in luciferase-FMNH2 oxidation

Upon reaction of luciferase-FMNH₂ with oxygen a complex series of absorbance changes occur, leading to the formation of a stable ($\text{t}\text{1}\text{2}$ about 35 min at 2°) dihydroflavin peroxyluciferase intermediate. Observed at 380, 445, or 600 nm, there is first a rapid absorbance increase which is oxygen-concentration dependent (k ? 10⁶ M^?1s^?1. Following this there are two oxygen independent steps, first a slow absorbance decrease (k = 4.3 s^?1) and then an even slower increase (k = 0.55 s^?1). The dihydroflavin peroxide is not expected to have absorption at 600 nm and is thus postulated to be in equilibrium with some flavin species which does absorb in the red.     

Equilibrium constants under physiological conditions for the reactions of L-phosphoserine phosphatase and pyrophosphate: L-serine phosphotransferase

The observed equilibrium constants (K_obs) for the l-phosphoserine phosphatase reaction [EC 3.1.3.3] have been determined under physiological conditions of temperature (38 °C) and ionic strength (0.25 m) and physiological ranges of pH and free [Mg²⁺]. Using Σ and square brackets to indicate total concentrations $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>obs</mtext>}}\text{=}\text{Σ L-serine][Σ P}{}_{\mathrm{i}}\text{]}\text{Σ L-phosphoserine]H}{}_2\text{O]}\text{, K =}\text{L-H · serine}{}^{\mathrm{\pm }}\text{]HPO}{}_4{}^{\mathrm{2?}}\text{]}\text{[L-H · phosphoserine}{}^{\mathrm{2?}}\text{]H}{}_2\text{O]}$. The value of K_obs has been found to be relatively sensitive to pH. At 38 °C, K⁺] = 0.2 m and free [Mg²⁺] = 0; K_obs = 80.6 m at pH 6.5, 52.7 m at pH 7.0 [ΔG_obs⁰ = ?10.2 kJ/mol (?2.45 kcal/mol)], and 44.0 m at pH 8.0 ([H₂O] = 1). The effect of the free [Mg²⁺] on K_obs was relatively slight; at pH 7.0 ([K⁺] = 0.2 m) K_obs = 52.0 m at free [Mg²⁺] = 10^?3, m and 47.8 m at free [Mg²⁺] = 10^?2, m. K_obs was insignificantly affected by variations in ionic strength (0.12–1.0 m) or temperature (4–43 °C) at pH 7.0. The value of K at 38 °C and I = 0.25 m has been calculated to be 34.2 ± 0.5 m [ΔG_obs⁰ = ?9.12 kJ/mol (?2.18 kcal/ mol)]([H₂O] = 1). The K for the phosphoserine phosphatase reaction has been combined with the K for the reaction of inorganic pyrophosphatase [EC 3.6.1.1] previously estimated under the same physiological conditions to calculate a value of 2.04 × 10⁴, m [ΔG_obs⁰ = ?28.0 kJ/mol (?6.69 kcal/mol)] for the K of the pyrophosphate:l-serine phosphotransferase [EC 2.7.1.80] reaction. $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>obs</mtext>}}\text{=}\text{[}\text{Σ L-serine}\text{][}\text{Σ}\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>i</mtext>}}\text{]}\text{[}\text{Σ L-phosphoserine}\text{][}\text{H}{}_2\text{O}\text{]}\text{, K =}\text{[L-H · serine}{}^{\mathrm{\pm }}\text{]HPO}{}_4{}^{\mathrm{2?}}\text{]}\text{[L-H · phosphoserine}{}^{\mathrm{2?}}\text{]H}{}_2\text{O}$. Values of K_obs for this reaction at 38 °C, pH 7.0, and I = 0.25 m are very sensitive to the free [Mg²⁺], being calculated to be 668 [ΔG_obs⁰ = ?16.8 kJ/mol (?4.02 kcal/mol)] at free [Mg²⁺] = 0; 111 [ΔG_obs⁰ = ?12.2 kJ/mol (?2.91 kcal/mol)] at free [Mg²⁺] = 10^?3, m; and 9.1 [ΔG_obs⁰ = ?5.7 kJ/mol (?1.4 kcal/mol) at free [Mg²⁺] = 10^?2, m). K_obs for this reaction is also sensitive to pH. At pH 8.0 the corresponding values of K_obs are 4000 [ΔG_obs⁰ = ?21.4 kJ/mol (?5.12 kcal/mol)] at free [Mg²⁺] = 0; and 97.4 [ΔG_obs⁰ = ?11.8 kJ/ mol (?2.83 kcal/mol)] at free [Mg²⁺] = 10^?3, m. Combining K_obs for the l-phosphoserine phosphatase reaction with K_obs for the reactions of d-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase [EC 1.1.1.95] and l-phosphoserine aminotransferase [EC 2.6.1.52] previously determined under the same physiological conditions has allowed the calculation of K_obs for the overall biosynthesis of l-serine from d-3-phosphoglycerate. $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>obs</mtext>}}\text{=}\text{[}\text{Σ L-serine}\text{][}\text{Σ NADH}\text{][}\text{Σ}\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>i</mtext>}}\text{][}\text{Σ}\text{α-}\text{ketoglutarate}\text{]}\text{[Σ d-3-}\text{phosphoglycerate}\text{][Σ NAD}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{][Σ L-glutamat0]}$ The value of K_obs for these combined reactions at 38 °C, pH 7.0, and I = 0.25 m (K⁺ as the monovalent cation) is 1.34 × 10^?2, m at free [Mg²⁺] = 0 and 1.27 × 10^?2, m at free [Mg²⁺] = 10^?3, m.     

Evidence for a glucosyl-enzyme intermediate in the beta-glucosidase-catalyzed hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucoside

The reaction of almond β-glucosidase with $\text{p}$-nitrophenyl-β-$\text{D}$-glucoside has been investigated over the temperature range +25° to ?45° using 50% aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as solvent. At temperatures below those at which turnover occurs a “burst” of $\text{p}$-nitrophenol proportional to the enzyme concentration is observed. Such a “burst” suggests the existence of a glucosyl-enzyme intermediate whose breakdown is rate-limiting, and provides a method for measuring the active-site normality. At pH 5.9, 25°, the presence of 50% DMSO causes an increase in K_m from 1.7×10^?3M (0%) to 1.7×10^?2M, whereas V_max is unchanged. The DMSO thus apparently acts as a competitive inhibitor with K_i = 0.7M. The Arrhenius plot for turnover is linear over the accessible temperature range with E_a = 23.0 ± 2.0 kcal/mole.     

Buspirone: A potential atypical neuroleptic

Buspirone produces a dose-dependent but short-lived elevation in striatal dopamine (DA) metabolites in the rat. $\text{In}$$\text{vitro}$, buspirone possesses an affinity similar to sulpiride for DA receptors (3H-spiperone). A moderate affinity for α₁ receptors was also observed while buspirone was inactive at α₂, β, muscarinic and serotonin₂ receptors. This pharmacological profile as well as previous behavioral data indicate that buspirone may be a potential “atypical” neuroleptic.     

The crystal structure of galactaric acid (mucic acid) at −147°: An unusually dense,hydrogen-bonded structure

Galactaric acid, C₆H₁₀O₈, (CAS Reg. No. 526-99-8), is triclinic, P$\text{1}$, with cell dimensions at ?147° [and 20°], a = 4.900(1) [4.918(1)], b = 5.728(1) [5.816(1)], c = 6.784(1) [6.849(1)] Å, α = 92.32(2) [92.31(2)], β = 93.74(2) [94.16(2)], γ = 93.08(2) [93.49(2)]°, V = 189.5 ų, Z = 1, D_x = 1.831 [1.800], D_m = [1.790] g.cm^?3, molecular symmetry $\text{I}$. The structure was solved by the direct method, MULTAN, and refined to R = 0.034, R_w = 0.039 for 787 reflections with F_Obs > 3σ(F_obs). The crystal structure has a system of strong, intermolecular hydrogen-bonds, which accounts for the high crystal density and low solubility in water.     

Induction of erythroid differentiation in Friend murine erythroleukemic cells by inorganic selenium compounds.

Inorganic selenium compounds are shown to be inducers of hemoglobin synthesis in malignant murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells. SeO₂ can induce hemoglobin synthesis at $\text{1}\text{20}$ the concentration of butyric acid and $\text{1}\text{5000}$ the concentration of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), two potent inducers of erythroid differentiation in MEL cells. SeO₂ and H₂SeO₃ showed an equivalent capacity to stimulate hemoglobin synthesis in three different MEL cell lines. The incorporation of ³H-glycine into hemoglobin was demonstrated in lysates of SeO₂-induced MEL cells.