Inhibition of AChE by malathion and some structurally similar compounds

Inhibition of bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (free and immobilized on controlled pore glass) by separate and simultaneous exposure to malathion and malathion transformation products which are generally formed during storage or through natural or photochemical degradation was investigated. Increasing concentrations of malathion, its oxidation product malaoxon, and its isomerisation product isomalathion inhibited free and immobilized AChE in a concentration-dependent manner. KI, the dissociation constant for the initial reversible enzyme inhibitor-complex, and k3, the first order rate constant for the conversion of the reversible complex into the irreversibly inhibited enzyme, were determined from the progressive development of inhibition produced by reaction of native AChE with malathion, malaoxon and isomalathion. KI values of 1.3 x 10(-4) M(-1), 5.6 x 10(-6) M(-1) and 7.2 x 10(-6)M(-1) were obtained for malathion, malaoxon and isomalathion, respectively. The IC50 values for free/immobilized AChE, (3.7 +/- 0.2) x 10(-4) M/(1.6 +/-0.1) x 10(-4), (2.4 +/- 0.3) x 10(-6)/(3.4 +/- 0.1) x 10(-6)M and (3.2 +/- 0.3) x 10(-6) M/(2.7 +/- 0.2) x 10(-6) M, were obtained from the inhibition curves induced by malathion, malaoxon and isomalathion, respectively. However, the products formed due to photoinduced degradation, phosphorodithioic O,O,S-trimethyl ester and O,O-dimethyl thiophosphate, did not noticeably affect enzymatic activity, while diethyl maleate inhibited AChE activity at concentrations > 10mM. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase increased with the time of exposure to malathion and its inhibiting by-products within the interval from 0 to 5 minutes. Through simultaneous exposure of the enzyme to malaoxon and isomalathion, an additive effect was achieved for lower concentrations of the inhibitors (in the presence of malaoxon/isomalathion at concentrations 2 x 10(-7) M/2 x 10(-7) M, 2 x 10(-7) M/3 x 10(-7)M and 2 x 10(-7) M/4.5 x 109-7) M), while an antagonistic effect was obtained for all higher concentrations of inhibitors. The presence of a non-inhibitory degradation product (phosphorodithioic O,O,S-trimethyl ester) did not affect the inhibition efficiencies of the malathion by-products, malaoxon and isomalathion.     

Subcellular distribution and properties of progesterone (delta4-steroid) 5alpha-reductase in rat medial basal hypothalamus.

The subcellular distribution and properties of rat hypothalamic progesterone 5 alpha-reductase, which accelerates the conversion of progesterone to 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione, have been investigated by utilizing 3H-labeled substrate and a reverse isotopic dilution assay system. The enxymic activity was associated primarily with a cell debris-membranes fraction deribed from the 100 x g pellet. This fraction contained mainly membrane-like particulates and was free of nuclei. Little or no activity was associated with the purified nuclei. The hypothalamic 5 alpha-reductase was stimulated by NADPH but not by NADH. The reaction proceeded optimally over a pH range of 6.0 to 7.2 and at a temperaturhe substrate specificity of the enzyme for other delta 4-3-ketosteroids and the ability of these steroids to inhibit the 5 alpha reduction of [1,2-3H]progesterone as well as the effect of 17 beta-estradiol were also studied. 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one was more reactive that progesterone, while testosterone was the least reactive. The estimated Km for 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one was 8.6 +/- 1.9 x 10(-7) M, and for testosterone, 1.6 +/- 1.4 x 10(-5) M. The inhibition studies indicate that 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one and 17 beta-estradiol are competitive and noncompetitive inhibitors, respectively, of the 5 alpha reduction of progesterone with Ki of 6.0 +/- 3.0 x 10(-8) M for 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one and Kii (intercept inhibition constant) of 2.6 +/- 0.7 x 10(-5) M and Kis (slope inhibition constant) of 3.6 +/- 0.6 x 10(-5) M for 17 beta-estradiol. Testosterone is a poor competitive inhibitor of the reaction.     

Hexokinase III from Rana catesbeiana.

1. Hexokinase III was partially purified from the liver of the American bullfrong, Rana catesbeiana, using DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. 2. It was inhibited by glucose concentrations above 5 x 10(-5) M (pH 5.9), 10(-4) M (pH 6.7) or 10(-3) M (pH 7.5). 3. There was virtually no inhibition by excess glucose at pH 8.7. 4. The maximum velocity of the reaction increased with increasing pH. 5. Galactose could not be utilized as a substrate. 6. Classical Michaelis-Menten kinetics were obtained with respect to ATP, with no evidence of allostery. 7. The apparent Michaelis constant for ATP was 0.23 +/- 0.013 mM in the presence of 0.2 mM glucose at pH 7.5.     

A monomer form of the glutathione S-transferase Y7F mutant from Schistosoma japonicum at acidic pH

Dissociation and unfolding of homodimeric glutathione S-transferase Y7F mutant from Schistosoma japonicum (SjGST-Y7F) were investigated at equilibrium using urea as denaturant. The conserved residue Tyr7 plays a central role in the catalytic mechanism and the mutation Tyr-Phe yields an inactive enzyme that is able to bind the substrate GSH with a higher binding constant than the wild type enzyme. Mutant SjGST-Y7F is a dimer at pH 6 or higher and a stable monomer at pH 5 that binds GSH (K value of 1.2x10(5)+/-6.4x10(3)M(-1) at pH 6.5 and 6.3x10(4)+/-1.25x10(3)M(-1) at pH 5). The stability of the SjGST-Y7F mutant was studied by urea induced unfolding techniques (DeltaG(W)=13.86+/-0.63kcalmol(-1) at pH 6.5 and DeltaG(W)=11.22+/-0.25kcalmol(-1) at pH 5) and the monomeric form characterized by means of size exclusion chromatography, fluorescence, and electrophoretic techniques.     

Differential in vitro inhibition of polyphenoloxidase from a wild edible mushroom Lactarius salmonicolor

The polyphenol oxidase (LsPPO) from a wild edible mushroom Lactarius salmonicolor was purified using a Sepharose 4B-L-tyrosine-p-amino benzoic acid affinity column. At the optimum pH and temperature, the K(M) and V(Max) values of LsPPO towards catechol, 4-methylcatechol and pyrogallol were determined as 0.025 M & 0.748 EU/mL, 1.809 x 10(- 3) M & 0.723 EU/mL and 9.465 x 10(- 3) M & 0.722 EU/mL, respectively. Optimum pH and temperature values of LsPPO for the three substrates above ranged between the pH 4.5-11.0 and 5-50 degrees C. Enzyme activity decreased due to heat denaturation with increasing temperature. Effects of a variety of classical PPO inhibitors were investigated opon the activity of LsPPO using catechol as the substrate. IC(50) values for glutathione, p-aminobenzenesulfonamide, L-cysteine, L-tyrosine, oxalic acid, beta-mercaptoethanol and syringic acid were determined as 9.1 x 10(- 4), 2.3 x 10(- 4) M, 1.5 x 10(- 4) M, 3.8 x 10(- 7) M, 1.2 x 10(- 4) M, 4.9 x 10(- 4) M, and 4 x 10(- 4) M respectively. Thus L-tyrosine was by far the most effective inhibitor. Interestingly, sulfosalicylic acid behaved as an activator of LsPPO in this study.     

Kinetic data for redox reactions of cytochrome c with Fe(CN)5X complexes and the question of association prior to electron transfer

Use of rigorous equilibration kinetics to evaluate rate constants for the Fe(CN)6 4- reduction of horse-heart cytochrome c in the oxidized form, cyt c (III), has shown that limiting kinetics do not apply with concentrations of Fe(CN)6 4- (the reactant in excess) in the range 2-10 x 10(-4) M, I = 0.10 M (NaCl). The reaction conforms to a first-order rate law in each reactant, and at 25 degrees C, pH 7.2 (Tris), it is concluded that K for association prior to electron transfer is less than 200 M-1. From previous studies at 25 degrees C, ph 7.0 (10(-1) M phosphate), I = 0.242 M (NaCl), a value K = 2.4 x 10(3) M-1 has been reported. Had such a value applied, some or all of the redox inactive complexes Mo(CN)8 4-, Co(CN)6 3-, Cr(CN)6 3-, Zr(C2O4)4 4- present in amounts 5-20 x 10(-4) M would have been expected to associate at the same site and partially block the redox process. No effect on rats was observed. With the reductants Fe(CN)5(4-NH2-py)3- and Fe(CN)5(imid)3-, reactions proceeded to greater than 90% completion and rate laws were again first order in each reactant. Rate constants (M-1 sec-1) at 25 degrees C, pH 7.2 (Tris), I = 0.10 M (NaCl), are Fe(CN)6 4- (3.5 x 10(4)), Fe(CN)5(4-NH2py)3- (6.7 x 10(5), and Fe(CN)5(imid)3- (4.2 x 10(5). Related reactions in which cyt c(II) is oxidized are also first order in each reactant, Fe(CN)6 3- (9.1 x 10(6)), Fe(CN)5(NCS)3- (1.3 x 10(6)), Fe(CN)5(4-NH2py)2- (3.8 x 10(6) at pH 9.4), and Fe(CN)5(NH3)2- (2.75 x 10(6) at ph 8). Redox inactive Co(CN)6 3- (1.0 x 10(-3) M) has no effect on the reaction of Fe(CN)6 3- which suggests that a recent interpretation for the Fe(CN)6 3- oxidation of cyt c(II), I = 0.07 M, may also require reappraisal.     

Design of potent and specific inhibitors of carboxypeptidases A and B.

The combination in one molecule of functional groups that can interact specifically with different substrate binding areas at the active site of carboxypeptidases A and B has led to the development of potent and specific inhibitors of these enzymes. 2-Benzyl-3-mercaptopropanoic acid (SQ 14,603) has a Ki of 1.1 x 10(-8) M vs. carboxypeptidase A and a Ki of 1.6 x 10(-4) M vs. the B enzyme. 2-Mercaptomethyl-5-guanidinopentanoic acid (SQ 24,798) has a Ki of 4 x 10(-10) M vs. carboxypeptidase B and a Ki of 1.2 x 10(-5) M vs. carboxypeptidase A. It is proposed that the sulfhydryl groups of these inhibitors bind to the catalytically important zinc ions of these enzymes, and that, in conjunction with the benzyl and guanidinopropyl side chains, they are responsible for their specificity.     

Light-scattering and scanning transmission electron microscopic investigation of the hemocyanin of the bivalve, Yoldia limatula (Say)

1. The hemocyanin of the bivalve, Yoldia limatula (Say) was found by light-scattering to have a mol. wt of 8.0 +/- 0.6 x 10(6). Mass measurements by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) gave a particle mass of 8.25 +/- 0.42 x 10(6) for the native particle and 4.09 +/- 0.20 x 10(6) for the half-molecule. 2. The hemocyanin subunits fully dissociated in 8.0 M urea and 6.0 M GdmCl at pH 8.0, and at pH 11.0, 0.01 M EDTA have mol. wts of 4.38 x 10(5), 4.22 x 10(5) and 4.71 x 10(5), close to one-twentieth of the parent molecular weight of Y. limatula hemocyanin and most gastropod hemocyanins. 3. Analyses of the urea dissociation transitions studied at pH 8.0, 1 x 10(-2) M Mg2+, 1 x 10(-2) M Ca2+ and pH 8.0, 3 x 10(-3) M Ca2+ suggest few hydrophobic amino acid groups, of the order of 10 to 15 at the contact areas of each half-molecule or decamer. 4. The further dissociation of the decamers to dimers and the dimers to monomers indicates the presence of a larger number of amino acid groups of ca 35-40/dimer and 100-120/monomer. 5. This suggests hydrophobic stabilization of the dimer to dimer and monomer to monomer contacts within the decamers, as observed with other molluscan hemocyanins.     

黑翅土白蚁乙酰胆碱酯酶最佳反应体系的建立及药剂敏感度比较

用正交试验方法研究了酶浓度、底物浓度、反应体系pH值、反应温度、反应时间5个因素对黑翅土白蚁Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki)乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)活性测定的影响。通过对正交试验结果进行极差和方差分析,明确了测定黑翅土白蚁AChE活性的最适反应条件是酶浓度为12.5 g/L,底物浓度为8 mmol/L,pH值8.0,反应温度40℃,反应时间5 min。此外,研究了6种药剂对黑翅土白蚁体内AChE活性的影响。结果表明：灭多威、辛硫磷、三唑磷、丙溴磷、马拉硫磷和氧化乐果6种药剂对黑翅土白蚁AChE抑制中浓度(IC₅₀)分别为3.52×10^-4,1.86×10^-3,5.13×10^-3,9.55×10^-4,8.81×10^-3,和1.39×10^-2 mol/L。在3.3×10^-7～5×10^-3 mol/L的浓度范围内,上述6种药剂对黑翅土白蚁体内AChE活性的抑制作用都具有明显的剂量效应关系。     

Naphthol AS-BI (7-bromo-3-hydroxy-2-naphtho-o-anisidine) phosphatase and naphthol AS-BI beta-D-glucuronidase in Chinese hamster ovary cells: biochemical and flow cytometric studies.

Conditions for the biochemical and flow cytometric assay of 7-bromo-3-hydroxy-2-naphtho-o-anisidine phosphatase and beta-D-glucuronidase activities in Chinese hamster ovary cells were studied. In the biochemical assay, the pH optimum for the phosphatase activity was pH 4.6 with a Km of 10(-5) M; the pH optimum for beta-D-glucuronidase activity was pH 5.0 with a Km of 2 x 10(-5) M. For intact cells the derived constants were 3 to 10 times higher. The rate of hydrolysis of both substrates was also examined by flow cytometry. Cellular fluorescence increased linearly for only about 15 min. Diffusion of the fluorescent product probably caused nonlinearity of the fluorescence increase and was demonstrated by mixing cells incubated with substrate with those that had not been incubated. After 15 min, cells that had not been exposed previously to product or substrate contained the fluorescent product. Cells fractionated into size classes by centrifugal elutriation also were analyzed by flow cytometry for beta-D-glucuronidase activity. The activity increased linearly with the increase in cell size corresponding to the progression from G1 through S and into G2-M phases of the cell cycle.     

Anticholinesterase activity of potential therapeutic 5-(1,3,3-trimethylindolinyl) carbamates.

Six N-alkyl and N-aryl 5-(1,3,3-trimethylindolinyl) carbamates were synthesized and studied for their structure-activity relationships in inhibiting eel acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The carbamates were 5-(1,3,3-trimethylindolinyl)N,N-dimethylcarbamate (Cui Xing Ning) (I), 5-(1,3,3-trimethylindolinyl)N,N-diethylcarbamate (IV), 5-(1,3,3-trimethylindolinyl)N-ethylcarbamate (III), 5-(1,3,3-trimethylindolinyl)N,N-diethylcarbamate (IV), 5-(1,3,3-trimethylindolinyl)N-heptylcarbamate (V), and 5-(1,3,3-trimethylindolinyl)N-(3-chlorophenyl)carbamate (VI). The inhibition studies were carried out at 25.0 degrees C at pH 7.60. The rank order of the ki values for eel AChE inhibition is II > V > I > III > VI > IV. Compound II has a greater affinity for the enzyme than any irreversible inhibitor cited in the literature (Kd = 7.14 x 10(-8) M). Our findings should aid in the application of these carbamates (1) for counteracting the cholinergic problems associated with various diseases, and (2) for developing potential pretreatment compounds for organophosphate poisoning.     

A structure-based site-directed mutagenesis study on the neurolysin (EC 3.4.24.16) and thimet oligopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.15) catalysis

Neurolysin (EP24.16) and thimet oligopeptidase (EP24.15) are closely related metalloendopeptidases. Site-directed mutagenesis of Tyr(613) (EP24.16) or Tyr(612) (EP24.15) to either Phe or Ala promoted a strong reduction of k(cat)/K(M) for both enzymes. These data suggest the importance of both hydroxyl group and aromatic ring at this specific position during substrate hydrolysis by these peptidases. Furthermore, the EP24.15 A607G mutant showed a k(cat)/K(M) of 2x10(5) M(-1) s(-1) for the Abz-GFSIFRQ-EDDnp substrate, similar to that of EP24.16 (k(cat)/K(M)=3x10(5) M(-1) s(-1)) which contains Gly at the corresponding position; the wild type EP24.15 has a k(cat)/K(M) of 2.5x10(4) M(-1) s(-1) for this substrate.     

Guinea pig testicular proacrosin-acrosin system: further characterization of the active enzyme

In this paper, the characteristics of a highly stable, 34,000 molecular weight form of guinea pig (GP) acrosin are compared with those of acrosins from other mammalian species. GP acrosin, like acrosins from other species, is stable at pH 3.0, has a pH optimum of 8.0, and is inhibited by natural trypsin inhibitors and N-alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone. Its lack of inhibition by tosyl-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone indicates that it has a specificity similar to trypsin but not chymotrypsin. The activity of GP acrosin was stimulated by Ca2+ below 75 mM. The enzyme was markedly inhibited by Hg2+, but only weakly inhibited by other metal cations. The disulfide reductants dithiothreitol and 2-mercaptoethanol both inhibited GP acrosin, as did the sulfhydryl reactant, iodoacetic acid. The Michaelis-Menten constant for GP testicular acrosin-catalyzed hydrolysis of the N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-arginyl amide of 7-amino-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin at pH 8.0 was calculated from Lineweaver-Burk plots to give a value of Km = 2.0 x 10(-5) M with Vmax = 500 mumoles/min/mg protein. The corresponding lysine substrate, the N-benzyloxy-carbonyl L-lysine amide of 7-amino-4-trifluoromethyl-coumarin, had a higher Km = 4.6 x 10(-5) M and lower Vmax = 135 mumoles/min/mg protein, in accord with the substrate preference seen with other mammalian acrosins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Salicylate poly(vinyl chloride) membrane electrode based on (2-[(E)-2-(4-nitrophenyl) hydrazono]-1-phenyl-2-(2-quinolyl)-1-ethanone) Cu(II)

A new salicylate-selective electrode based on the complex of (2-[(E)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)hydrazono]-1-phenyl-2-(2-quinolyl)-1-ethanone) Cu(II) as the membrane carrier was developed. The electrode exhibited a good Nernstian slope of -59.6+/-1.0 mV/decade and a linear range of 1.0 x 10(-6) to 1.0M for salicylate. The limit of detection was 5.0 x 10(-7) M. The electrode had a fast response time of 10 s and can be used for more than 3 months. The selective coefficients were determined by the fixed interference method and could be used in the pH range of 4.0 to 10.5. The electrode was employed as an indicator electrode for direct determination of salicylate in pharmaceutical and biological samples.     

Energetics of ligand and inhibitor interactions with acetylcholinesterase

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) from Electrophorus electricus, purified by affinity chromatography to a specific activity of 7000-10,000 U/mg protein, was studied at 27 degrees C in conduction-type microcalorimeters for the heats of reaction, with the subsite-specific cationic ligands edrophonium and propidium and with the irreversible inhibitor diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP), in an ion-free aqueous medium. Edrophonium and propidium, each at 0.5 x 10(-5) M, yielded reaction heats of +3.2 and -1.5 kcal/mol (1 kcal = 4.184 J) respectively, with 1.3 x 10(-5) M AChE active sites. DFP (1.3 x 10(-5) M) reacted exothermically yielding -0.5 kcal/mol at stoichiometric level with AchE active sites. Circular dichroic spectra showed that a ternary complex of AChE (6.5 x 10(-7) M active sites) and the two ligands (each at 1 x 10(-3) M) in 1 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.0) had a positive Cotton effect at 235 nm. Neither DFP nor phosphoric acid 2,2-dichloroethenyl dimethyl ester (DDVP) caused any appreciable change. DFP-AChE, however, behaved like a normal enzyme in showing a positive Cotton effect in association with the two ligands. DDVP-AChE showed an increase in negative ellipticity at 287 nm in the presence of the two ligands. Another cationic ligand, d-tubocurarine, when present together with edrophonium, increased negative ellipticity at 302 nm and blue-shifted a 265-nm peak of the normal AChE. DFP interactions with AChE appear to be energetically different from those of edrophonium, the latter of which is believed to associate with the acetylcholine-binding subsite.     

Cleavage of DNA by electrochemically activated MnIII and FeIII complexes of meso-tetrakis (N-methyl-4-pyridiniumyl)porphine

Electrochemical methods were used to activate MnIII and FeIII complexes of meso-tetrakis(N-methyl-4-pyridiniumyl)porphine (H2TMPyP) to cause cleavage of pBR322 DNA and to study their interaction with sonicated calf thymus DNA. Electrochemical reduction of MnIIITMPyP and FeIIITMPyP (at low concentrations) in the presence of O2 was required to activate these complexes. However, FeIIITMPyP at 1 x 10(-6) M produced DNA strand breakage without being electrochemically reduced. At low concentrations, FeIITMPyP was more efficient at cleaving DNA than MnIITMPyP. Reduction of O2 at a platinum electrode also produced some cleavage but to a much smaller extent. The oxidized form of MnIIITMPyP (charge 5+) has higher affinity for sonicated calf thymus (CT) DNA than the reduced form (charge 4+), as determined by the negative shift in E degrees' for the voltammetric wave in the presence of DNA. Both forms of FeIIITMPyP (charge 4+) interact with DNA to about the same extent. Differential pulse voltammetry was used to determine binding constants (K) and binding-site sizes (s) of the interaction of these metalloporphyrins with sonicated CT DNA. The data were analyzed assuming both mobile and static equilibria. MnIIITMPyP binds to DNA (5 mM Tris, 50 mM NaCl, pH 7) with K = 5 (+/- 2) x 10(6) M-1, s = 3 bp (mobile) or K = 3.6 (+/- 0.3) x 10(6) M-1, s = 4 bp (static). FeIIITMPyP at that ionic strength caused DNA precipitation. At higher ionic strength (0.1 M Tris, 0.1 M NaCl, pH 7), FeIIITMPyP associates to DNA with K = 4.4 (+/- 0.2) x 10(4) M-1, s = 5 bp (mobile) or K = 1.9 (+/- 0.1) x 10(4) M-1, s = 6 bp (static).     

Partial characterization of soluble esterase from Heterodera glycines and inhibition by aldicarb and phenamiphos.

1. Homogenates of tissues from females of the nematode Heterodera glycines were clarified by centrifugation and used to initiate characterization of soluble esterases using p-nitrophenyl acetate as the substrate. 2. Optimum temperature and pH were 40 degrees C and 7.2 respectively. 3. Acetazolamide (a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) at 10(-3) M did not inhibit enzyme activity, indicating that carbonic anhydrase was not present. 4. Phenamiphos (an organophosphate) at 10(-6) M reduced activity by 38%, whereas eserine hemisulfate (a cholinesterase inhibitor) and aldicarb (a carbamate) were not inhibitory at that concentration, indicating that there was no cholinesterase activity. 5. Eserine hemisulfate, aldicarb, and phenamiphos inhibited enzyme activity by 50% (I50) at 5 x 10(-3) M, 7.5 x 10(-4) M, and 6 x 10(-6) M, respectively. 6. Approximately 25% of the activity detected appeared due to A- and/or C-esterases. 7. The data demonstrated that aldicarb and phenamiphos were active against esterases other than acetylcholinesterase.     

Distinct binding sites for Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 in bovine parathyroid glands

We utilized high specific activity, [32P]-labelled ligands to measure the binding of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 and Ins(1,4,5)P3 to membranes prepared from bovine parathyroid glands. [32P]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 bound rapidly and reversibly to parathyroid membranes, and the binding data could be fitted by the interaction of the ligand with two sites, one with Kd = 6.8 x 10(-9) M and Bmax = 26 fmol/mg protein and a second, lower affinity site, with Kd = 4.1 x 10(-7) M and Bmax = 400 fmol/mg protein. InsP5 was 10-20 fold less potent than InsP4, and Ins(1,3,4)P3 and Ins(1,4,5)P3 were nearly 1000-fold less potent in displacing [32P]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4. [32P]Ins(1,4,5)P3, on the other hand, bound to a single class of sites with Kd = 7.6 x 10(-9) M and Bmax = 34 fmol/mg. While the binding of [32P]Ins(1,4,5)P3 increased markedly on raising pH from 5 to 8, the binding of [32P]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 decreased by 75% over this range of pH. Thus, [32P]-labelled Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 and Ins(1,4,5)P3 may be used to identify distinct binding sites which may represent physiologically relevant intracellular receptors for InsP3 and InsP4 in parathyroid cells.     

Acetylcholinesterase in the central nervous system and digestive gland of Achatina fulica Bowdich.

Cholinesterase (ChE) activity was measured in the central nervous system (CNS) and in the digestive gland of the pestiferous land snail Achatinafulica Bowdich, by the method of Huegra et al. (1952). Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and benzoylcholinesterase (BeChE) activity was higher in the former than in the latter. The complete inhibition of the enzyme activity with 10(-2) M eserine indicates that the ChE examined is AChE. The Km values of the AChE from the digestive gland and the CNS were 3.1 x 10(-5) and 9.0 x 10(-5) (M), respectively. The enzyme is the most active at pH 8.2 and 37 degrees C up to 60 min.     

The haemocyanin of the whelk, Busycon contrarium (Conrad): aggregation states and subunit structure

1. The haemocyanin of the left-handed whelk Busycon contrarium (Conrad) exists largely as six or more multi-decameric aggregates characterized by sedimentation coefficients of approximately 105S, 132S, 155S, 170S, 185S and about 200-220S. 2. These aggregates represent di- to hepta- or octa-decameric assemblies of the basic haemocyanin decamer having a mol. wt of 4.3 x 10(6)-4.5 x 10(6). 3. The fully dissociated subunits in 8.0 M urea (pH 8.5) and at pH 11.1, 0.01 M EDTA have mol. wts of 4.78 x 10(5) and 4.62 x 10(5), close to one-tenth of the mol. wt of the basic decameric unit of most gastropod haemocyanins. 4. The pH dependence of the mol. wts (Mw), studied by light-scattering at the constant protein concentration of 0.010%, exhibit bell-shaped pH transition profiles with mol. wt values of about 16 x 10(6) in the presence of 0.01 M Mg2+, in the pH region from about pH 4.5-8.0; in the absence of stabilizing divalent ions the observed mol. wt is about 10 x 10(6) at pH 4.5-7.0. Below pH 4.5 and above 7.0-8.0 there is a sharp drop in mol. wt to about 4 x 10(5)-4.5 x 10(5). 5. The transition profiles observed with both the urea and salt series of probes investigated at concentration = 0.010% are found to produce aggregation at low reagent concentrations with mol. wt changes from about 9 x 10(6)-12 x 10(6)-14 x 10(6), followed by a decrease in mol. wt below 4.3 x 10(6)-4.5 x 10(6) of the haemocyanin decamers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)