Demonstration of dehydrogenase activities in paraffin sections.

The possibility of demonstrating the activity of respiratory enzymes in paraffin sections was studied. Unfixed pieces of nervous tissue were incubated at 4 degrees C, 20 degrees C, 37 degrees C and 56 degrees C for various periods ranging from 1 to 24 hours. After dehydration, the tissue pieces were mounted in paraffin. The paraffin sections obtained there of were then tested with respect to the range of penetration of the substrate into the incubated tissue samples (as judged from the resulting histoenzymic reaction), and for the distinctness with which the localization of the histochemic reaction could be assessed. From the results it may be concluded that it is possible, under well defined conditions, to demonstrate the activity of dehydrogenases in paraffin sections. The resulting morphological pictures permit a much better localization of the histoenzymic reaction products than those obtained from cryostat sections. Optimal results are obtained when tissue fragments, about 1 mm in diameter are incubated for 24 hours at 4 degrees C.     

Identification of an ovarian voltage-activated Na+-channel type: hints to involvement in luteolysis

An endocrine type of voltage-activated sodium channel (eNaCh) was identified in the human ovary and human luteinized granulosa cells (GC). Whole-cell patch-clamp studies showed that the eNaCh in GC is functional and tetrodotoxin (TTX) sensitive. The luteotrophic hormone human CG (hCG) was found to decrease the peak amplitude of the sodium current within seconds. Treatment with hCG for 24-48 h suppressed not only eNaCh mRNA levels, but also mean Na+ peak currents and resting membrane potentials. An unexpected role for eNaChs in regulating cell morphology and function was indicated after pharmacological modulation of presumed eNaCh steady-state activity in GC cultures for 24-48 h using TTX (NaCh blocker) and veratridine (NaCh activator). TTX preserved a highly differentiated cellular phenotype. Veratridine not only increased the number of secondary lysosomes but also led to a significantly reduced progesterone production. Importantly, endocrine cells of the nonhuman primate corpus luteum (CL), which represent in vivo counterparts of luteinized GC, also contain eNaCh mRNA. Although the mechanism of channel activity under physiological conditions is not clear, it may include persistent Na+ currents. As observed in GC in culture, abundant secondary lysosomes were particularly evident in the regressing CL, suggesting a functional link between eNaCh activity and this form of cellular regression in vivo. Our results identify eNaCh in ovarian endocrine cells and demonstrate that their expression is under the inhibitory control of hCG. Activation of eNaChs in luteal cells, due to loss of gonadotropin support, may initiate a cascade of events leading to decreased CL function, a process that involves lysosomal activation and autophagy. These results imply that ovarian eNaChs are involved in the physiological demise of the temporary endocrine organ CL in the primate ovary during the menstrual cycle. Because commonly used drugs, including phenytoin, target NaChs, these results may be of clinical relevance.     

3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity catalyzed by purified pig adrenal 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

In earlier studies, two distinct molecules, 20 alpha-HSD-I and 20 alpha-HSD-II, responsible for 20 alpha-HSD activity of pig adrenal cytosol were purified to homogeneity and characterized [S. Nakajin et al., J. Steroid Biochem. 33 (1989) 1181-1189]. We report here that the purified 20 alpha-HSD-I, which mainly catalyzes the reduction of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone to 17 alpha,20 alpha-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, catalyzes 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity for 5 alpha (or 5 beta)-androstanes (C19), 5 alpha (or 5 beta)-pregnanes (C21) in the presence of NADPH as the preferred cofactor. The purified enzyme has a preference for the 5 alpha (or 5 beta)-androstane substrates rather than 5 alpha (or 5 beta)-pregnane substrates, and the 5 beta-isomers rather than 5 alpha-isomers, respectively. Kinetic constants in the reduction for 5 alpha-androstanedione (Km; 3.3 microM, Vmax; 69.7 nmol/min/mg) and 5 beta-androstanedione (Km; 7.7 microM, Vmax; 135.7 nmol/min/mg) were demonstrated for comparison with those for 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (Km; 26.2 microM, Vmax; 1.3 nmol/min/mg) which is a substrate for 20 alpha-HSD activity. Regarding oxidation, the apparent Km and Vmax values for 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-17-one were 1.7 microM and 43.2 nmol/min/mg, and 1.2 microM and 32.1 nmol/min/mg for 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 beta-androstan-17-one, respectively. 20 alpha-HSD activity in the reduction of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone catalyzed by the purified enzyme was inhibited competitively by addition of 5 alpha-DHT with a Ki value of 2.0 microM. Furthermore, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone inhibited competitively 3 alpha-HSD activity with a Ki value of 150 microM.     

Hormonal control of Luteal 20alpha-Hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase and delta5-3beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase during luteolysis in the pregnant rat.

Treatment of pregnant rats with human chorionic gonadotrophin, luteotrophin (luteinizing hormone), luteotrophin-releasing hormone, prostaglandin F2alpha, aminoglutethimide, or by foetoplacental removal or hysterectomy achieved a common multiple-response pattern, namely increased activity of luteal 20alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase with decreased activity of delta5-3beta-hydroxy steriod dehydrogenase and release of delta4-3-oxo steroids in vitro. 2. Similar effects of foetoplacental removal are noted in pregnant mice. 3. Gonadotrophin induced lower activities of 20alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase, except at the very end of pregnancy, and partly inhibited the induction caused by foetoplacental removal. 4. The results suggest that existence of a placental factor that restrains these changes until the end of normal pregnancy, which is produced in amounts proportional to the number of placentae and is conveyed to the ovary via the blood. 5. This factor was not replaced by prolactin. 6. It is argued that neither placental lactogen nor pituitary luteotrophin participate in the induction of 20alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase at late pregnancy in the rat. 7. Aminoglutethimide induced 20alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase only in late pregnancy. This was partly reversed by progesterone, wholly reversed by progesterone plus oestrogen, and did not involve the pituitary.     

Ovarian and adrenal function during the estrous cycle of the sow.

The concentrations of plasma estrogens, progesterone, and corticosteroids and of urinary pregnanediol, pregnanetriol, ketogenic steroids, and corticosteroids were determined as indicators of ovarian and adrenal function throughout a normal sow's estrous cycle. Two broad peaks of plasma estrogen, one lasting 11–12 days during estrus and another 6-day peak period during the early part of the luteal phase were detected. Plasma progesterone was elevated during the late follicular and luteal phase. Two broad peaks of plasma corticoids appeared, one following the decrease of plasma progesterone and the second 7–14 days later. Those elevations in plasma corticoids occurred when estrogen titres were elevated. Urinary determinations generally reflected plasma findings. Estrogen levels began to rise during the follicular phase while a reasonably high progesterone level was evident. Estrogen titres never decreased to non-detectable levels. An interrelationship between adrenal function and ovarian estrogen production is suggested.     

Kinetics and control of bovine adrenal glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Michaelis-Menten kinetics are observed in studies of highly purified bovine adrenal glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase at pH8.0 in 0.1 M bicine. The Km for NADP+ is 3.8 muM and for glucose-6-phosphate, 61 muM. At pH 6.9 Km for NADP+ increases to 6.5 muM. The enzyme is inhibited by NADPH both at pH 6.8 and at 8.0 with a Kip of 2.36 muM at pH 8.0. Inhibition is competitive with respect to both substrates implying that addition of substrates is random ordered. The data are also interpreted in terms of "reducing charge", the mole fraction of coenzyme in the reduced form. This appears to be the major mechanism for regulation of the pentose shunt. D-glucose, oxidized by the enzyme at a very slow rate, is also a competitive inhibitor for the natural substrate with a Ki of 0.29 M. Phosphate is a competitive inhibitor for glucose-6-phosphate oxidation but both phosphate and sulfate accelerate glucose oxidation suggesting a common binding site for the two anions and the phosphate of the natural substrate. While binding of ACTH to our enzyme preparations has been observed, we have not been able, in spite of repeated attempts, to demonstrate augmentation of the activity of the enzyme by the addition of ACTH.     

Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum: comparison of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activities in adults.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in paired adult Schistosoma mansoni is about twice as great as in paired adult Schistosoma japonicum. 2. 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity accounts for 25.8% of the measured production of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) in S. japonicum but only 8.6% of the measured production of NADPH in S. mansoni. 3. These data suggest a species difference in 6-phosphogluconate metabolism.     

Prostaglandins and post-abortion luteolysis in early pregnancy.

This study was undertaken to determine if post-abortion luteolysis in early pregnancy could be accelerated by the administration of 15(S)15-methyl-PGF2alpha(15-me-PGF2alpha) or delayed following pretreatment with indomethacin. Thirty-nine women were divided into four groups: 7 women were given 400mug 15-me-PGF2alpha extra-amniotically one hour prior to vacuum aspiration; 14 were pretreated with oral indomethacin (50 mg X4) over 24 hours; 7 were given indomethacin (50mg X 6) over 36 hours and 11 served as controls. Plasma progesterone and estradiol were measured at fixed intervals before and after abortion. There was a rapid drop in the plasma progesterone within the first hour after abortion followed by an exponential decline over the next 23 hours. The plasma estradiol fell rapidly duriing the same period. Under the experimental conditions of this study neither 15-me-PGF2alpha nor indomethacin exerted a significant effect on the decline in luteal function. These results are interpreted as suggesting that factors other than prostaglandins have a more significant role in post-abortion luteolysis.     

Cytoplasmic NADP-linked dehydrogenase activities in avian tissues

Cytoplasmic activities of NADP-linked malic enzyme (E.C. 1.1.1.40), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.49) and NADP-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.42) were determined in tissues of selected avian species, and compared with those in mammals. Malic enzyme was generally more active in avian liver and kidney than in the corresponding mammalian tissues. Hepatic activities as high as 200 units/g wet wt and 100 units/g wet wt were recorded in the Nectariniidae and the Ploceidae respectively. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was generally less active in avian tissues than malic enzyme. In passerine birds activities were very low indeed, and in most cases spectrophotometrically undetectable. Malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were highly active in the adipose tissue of mammals but were inactive in the adipose tissue of birds. Marked increases in hepatic malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities were associated in birds with premigratory fattening. Activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase were comparable in the corresponding avian and mammalian tissues, including adipose tissue.     

Alpha-Glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (insoluble) and lactic dehydrogenase activities in the skeletal muscles of two insects.

The flight muscle preparations of the dragonfly Pantala flavescens and the aquatic beetle Cybister confusus showed extremely low levels of lactic dehydrogenase activity and high levels of alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (insoluble) activity. The activities of these two enzymes in the leg muscle of the beetle were approximately the same (1:1), but lactic dehydrogenase activity was several times higher than that in the flight muscles of both Insects. These results have been interpreted as indicating the high energy-yielding demands of the flight muscles during continuous sustained activity, while the leg muscles of the beetle which are involved in swimming activity derive their energy predominantly through anaerobic glycolysis.     

Functional involvement of angiotensin AT2 receptor in adrenal catecholamine secretion in vivo.

The aim of the present study was to analyse modulations of adrenal catecholamine secretion from the adrenal gland of anesthetized dogs in response to locally administered angiotensin II (AngII) in the presence of either PD 123319 or CGP 42112, both of which are highly specific and selective ligands to angiotensin AT2 receptor. Plasma concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine in adrenal venous and aortic blood were quantified by a high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC) method. Adrenal venous blood flow was measured by gravimetry. Local administration of AngII (0.05 microg, 0.1 microM) to the left adrenal gland increased adrenal gland catecholamine output more than 30 times that found in nonstimulated states. Administration of either PD 123319 (0.085 microg (0.23 microM) to 8.5 microg (23 microM)) or CGP 42112 (0.005 microg (0.01 microM) to 5 microg (10 microM)) did not affect the basal catecholamine output significantly. The increase in adrenal catecholamine output in response to AngII was inhibited by approximately 80% following the largest dose of PD 123319. CGP 42112 significantly attenuated the catecholamine response to AngII by approximately 70%. PD 123319 and CGP 42112 were devoid of any agonist actions with respect to catecholamine output by the adrenal gland in vivo. Furthermore, both PD 123319 and CGP 42112 inhibited the increase in adrenal catecholamine secretion induced by local administration of AngII. The present study suggests that AT2 receptors play a role in mediating catecholamine secretion by the adrenal medulla in response to AngII receptor agonist administration in vivo.     

Biosynthesis of dihydroxanthommatin in Drosophila melanogaster: Possible involvement of xanthine dehydrogenase

The aim of this research was to clarify the lower dihydroxanthommatin content in the mal mutant of Drosophila melanogaster as compared to its wild type (w.t.). By means of a new technique, the dihydroxanthommatin content was measured in w.t., mal, bw, mal bw and again in HPP-treated bw and mal bw. The results show that xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) is indirectly involved in the biosynthesis of dihydroxanthommatin. This may be explained by the fact that the cofactor NADH, required by kynurenine-3-hydroxylase, is at least partially dependent on the XDH activity. This fully agrees with the chemotype of the mutants studied. Moreover, the remarkable decrease in dihydroxanthommatin content observed in both bw and mal bw as a consequence of the HPP treatment indicates that also in Drosophila melanogaster HPP may be an inhibitor in vivo of tryptophan pyrrolase.     

NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase from bovine adrenal cortex cytoplasm. Isolation and properties

The NADP-dependent decarboxylating malate dehydrogenase was isolated from the cytoplasmic fraction of bovine adrenal cortex and purified 3530-fold by 3-fold ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Toyopearl 650 M and DEAE-Sephadex A-50 with subsequent two-fold gel filtration through Toyopearl HW-55. The specific activity of homogeneous enzyme preparations was equal to 60 U/mg protein with a 30% yield. The enzyme molecular weight as determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-20 was 155000. Upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate malate dehydrogenase dissociated into two subunits with Mr 77000. The Arrhenius plot for the reaction rate showed a break at 30 degrees C. The values of activation energy and temperature coefficient above and below the breakpoint were equal to 45049 and 147188 J X mol-1; 1.68 and 2.63, respectively. Within the temperature range of 26-40 degrees C, malate dehydrogenase exhibited hyperbolic kinetics with respect to the substrate. At 30 degrees C, Km for malate was equal to 250 microM, whereas at 40 degrees C it was 130 microM. The curve for the dependence of the initial reaction velocity versus NADP concentration was S-shaped. The Hill coefficient was 1.4, which testifies to positive cooperativity of NADP interaction with malate dehydrogenase.