Molecular Cloning of a Preprohormone from Hydra magnipapillata Containing Multiple Copies of Hydra-LWamide (Leu-Trp-NH2) Neuropeptides: Evidence for Processing at Ser and Asn Residues

Abstract: The simple, freshwater polyp Hydra is often used as a model to study development in cnidarians. Recently, a neuropeptide, 2, has been isolated from sea anemones that induces metamorphosis in a hydroid planula larva to become a polyp. Here, we have cloned a preprohormone from Hydra magnipapillata containing 11 (eight different) immature neuropeptide sequences that are structurally related to the metamorphosis-inducing neuropeptide from sea anemones. During the final phase of our cloning experiments, another research team independently isolated and sequenced five of the neuropeptides originally found on the preprohormone. Comparison of these mature neuropeptide structures with the immature neuropeptide sequences on the preprohormone shows that most immature neuropeptide sequences are preceded by Ser or Asn residues, indicating that these residues must be novel processing sites. Thus, the structure of the Hydra prepro-hormone confirms our earlier findings that cnidarian pre-prohormones contain unusual or novel processing sites. Nearly all neuropeptide copies located on the Hydra preprohormone will give rise to mature neuropeptides with a C-terminal Gly-Leu-Trp-NH₂ sequence (the most frequent one being Gly-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Leu-Trp-NH₂; Hydra-LWamide I; three copies). Based on their structural similarities with the metamorphosis-inducing neuropeptide from sea anemones, the mature peptides derived from the Hydra-LWamide preprohormone are potential candidates for being developmentally active neurohormones in Hydra .     

Chemistry of the azine phosphine ligand Z,E-PPh2CH2C(Bu)=N-N=CMe(C6H4NO2-4): crystal structure of [Mo(CO)4{PPh2CH2C(Bu)=N-N=CMe(C6H4NO2-4)}]

Condensation of Z-PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)=NNH₂ with 4-nitroacetophenone gave the azine phosphine Z,E-PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)=N-N=CMe(C₆H₄NO₂-4) (I). The corresponding phsophine oxide II was prepared by treatment of I with H₂O₂. The phosphine I with [Mo(CO)₄(nbd)] (nbd=norbornadiene) gave [Mo(CO)₄{PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)=N-N=CMe(C₆H₄NO₂-4)}] (1a); the corresponding tungsten 1b and chromium 1c complexes were made similarly. The crystal structure of 1a was determined by X-ray diffraction and showed the presence of a six-membered chelate ring with the bulky 4-nitrophenyl group held close to the metal. Oxidation of 1a with bromine gave the seven-coordinate molybdenum (II) complex 2. Treatment of [PtMe₂(cod)] (cod=cycloocta-1,5-diene) with I at 20°C gave the dimethyl-platinum (II) complex [PtMe₂{PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)=N-N=CMe(C₆H₄NO₂-4)}] (3a) which with MeI gave the iodotrimethylplatinum(IV) complex 4. Treatment of 3a with C≡O opened the chelate ring to give the dimethyl(carbonyl)platinum(II) complex 5 containing a monodentate phosphine ligand. When 3a was heated in toluene solution at 110°C it gave the cyclometallated methylplatinum(II) complex [PtMe{PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)=N-N=CMe(C₆H₃NO₂-4)}] (6). Treatment of 6 with MeI gave the platinum(IV) complex 7. The dichloropalladium(II) complex [PdCl₂{PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)=N-N=CMe(C₆H₄NO₂-4)}] (3b) was prepared by treatment of [PdCl₂(NCPh)₂] with I in CH₂Cl₂. Treatment of [PtCl₂(NCMe)₂] with 2 equiv. of I gave the trans-bis(phosphine) complex 8. When 2 equiv. of I were treated with [PtCl₂(cod)] followed by NH₄PF₆ this gave the salt 9a containing two six-membered chelate rings; the analogous palladium(II) 9b) salt was also prepared. Treatment of 2 equiv. of I with [PtCl₂(cod)] followed by NH₄PF₆ gave the PF₆ salt 10 containing a six-membered chelate ring and a monodentate ligand. When 10 was treated with AgNO₃ followed by NH₄PF₆ this gave the bis-chelate complex 11 containing five- and six-membered chelate rings. Treatment of [IrCl(CO)₂(p-toluidine)] with I gave the cyclometallated iridium(III) hydride complex [IrHClCO{PPh₂CH₂C(Bu^t)=N-N=CMe(C₆H₃NO₂-4)}] (12). [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] with the phosphine I resulted in the Ru(II) complex 13 in which the ortho hydrogens of the 4-nitrophenyl group are agostically interacting with ruthenium. Proton, Phosphorus-31, some carbon-13 NMR and IR data have been obtained. Crystals of 1a are orthorhombic, space group Pna2₁, with a = 1819.3(2), b = 1050.0(1), c = 1614.8(2) pm and Z = 4; final R = 0.0191 for 2616 observed reflections.     

Neuropeptides in coelenterates: a review

Coelenterate neurones produce peptides containing an Arg-Phe-NH₂(RF-amide)-like carboxyterminus. RF-amide-like peptides are located in neuronal dense-cored vesicles, indicating that they are released by exocytosis and that they might function as neurotransmitters or neurohormones. Using a radioimmunoassay for the sequence RF-amide, 3 peptides were isolated from the sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima: < Glu-Gly-Arg-Phe-NH₂(Antho-RF-amide), 2(Antho-RWamide I) and 2(Antho-RW-amide II). The general structure of these peptides can be described as 2, where X is an aromatic amino acid. From the hydromedusa Polyorchis penicillatus, the peptide 2(Pol-RF-amide I) was isolated, which also belongs to the 2 family. Using specific antisera, it was shown that all 4 peptides were located in neurones, many of which were associated with smooth muscle fibres. Application of low doses of Antho-RF-amide or of Antho-RW-amide I and II induced contractions of endodermal muscles of sea anemones. This suggests that these peptides are transmitters or modulators at neuromuscular junctions.     

Identification of multiple urechistachykinin peptides, gene expression, pharmacological activity, and detection using mass spectrometric analyses

Urechistachykinin I and II (Uru-TK I and II) are invertebrate tachykinin-related peptides (TRPs), which have been isolated from echiuroid worms. The cDNA sequence encoding the Uru-TK I and II revealed that the precursor also encoded five TRP-like peptides. Here, we report the characterization of these Uru-TK-like peptides named as Uru-TK III-VII. Northern and Southern blot analyses demonstrated that Uru-TK mRNA is localized in nerve tissue. In addition, the presence of the Uru-TK-like peptides as matured forms in the nerve tissue was detected by mass spectrometric analysis, and identified these peptides were shown to exhibit a contractile activity on cockroach hindgut that was as potent as that of Uru-TK II. Furthermore, synthetic Uru-TK-like peptide analogs which contained Met-NH₂ instead of Arg-NH₂ at their C-termini were shown to possess a potential to bind to a mammalian tachykinin receptor, indicating that Uru-TK-like peptides are likely to correspond to vertebrate tachykinins, except for the difference at the C-terminal residue. These findings show that Uru-TK-like peptides are essentially equivalent to Uru-TK I and II, leading to the proposal that Uru-TK-like peptides play an essential role as invertebrate tachykinin neuropeptides.     

Syntheses and characterization of copper complexes with the ligand 2-aminoethyl(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine (apme)

Copper(I)/(II) complexes with the ligand 2-aminoethyl(2-pyridylmethyl)1,2-ethanediamine (apme, abbreviated as PDT in the literature as well) were prepared and characterized. Crystal structures of the copper(I) complexes, [Cu₂(apme)₂]X₂ (1, 2; X = ClO₄, CF₃SO₃), showed that they are dinuclear, in contrast to the trigonal bipyramidal copper(II) complexes [Cu(apme)Cl]BPh₄ (3) and [Cu(apme)(DMF)](BPh₄)₂ (4). 1 and 2 could be investigated in solution by NMR spectroscopy and 3 and 4 by cyclovoltammetry. From the results of these studies it is clear that in solution equilibria between the dinuclear complexes 1/2 and another species exist, most likely the monomeric [Cu(apme)CH₃CN]⁺. Time-resolved UV/vis spectra at low temperatures allowed the spectroscopic detection of dioxygen adduct complexes as reactive intermediates during the oxidation of 1/2 with dioxygen that seem to play an important role in copper enzymes such as peptidylglycine--hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM).     

Angiotensin II and angiotensin-(1-7) inhibit the inner cortex Na+ -ATPase activity through AT2 receptor

In the present paper, the modulation of the basolateral membrane (BLM) Na⁺-ATPase activity of inner cortex from pig kidney by angiotensin II (Ang II) and angiotensin-(1–7) (Ang-(1–7)) was evaluated. Ang II and Ang-(1–7) inhibit the Na⁺-ATPase activity in a dose-dependent manner (from 10⁻¹¹ to 10⁻⁵ M), with maximal effect obtained at 10⁻⁷ M for both peptides. Pharmacological evidences demonstrate that the inhibitory effects of Ang II and Ang-(1–7) are mediated by AT₂ receptor: The effect of both polypeptides is completely reversed by 10⁻⁸ M PD 123319, a selective AT₂ receptor antagonist, but is not affected by either (10⁻¹²–10⁻⁵ M) losartan or (10⁻¹⁰–10⁻⁷ M) A779, selective antagonists for AT₁ and AT_(1–7) receptors, respectively. The following results suggest that a PTX-insensitive, cholera toxin (CTX)-sensitive G protein/adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)/PKA pathway is involved in this process: (1) the inhibitory effect of both peptides is completely reversed by 10⁻⁹ M guanosine 5′-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDPβS; an inhibitor of the G protein activity), and mimicked by 10⁻¹⁰ M guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPγS; an activator of the G protein activity); (2) the effects of both peptides are mimicked by CTX but are not affected by PTX; (3) Western blot analysis reveals the presence of the G_s protein in the isolated basolateral membrane fraction; (4) (10⁻¹⁰–10⁻⁶ M) cAMP has a similar and non-additive effect to Ang II and Ang-(1–7); (5) PKA inhibitory peptide abolishes the effects of Ang II and Ang-(1–7); and (6) both angiotensins stimulate PKA activity.     

Isolation of the neuropeptide less than Glu-Trp-Leu-Lys-Gly-Arg-Phe-NH2 (Pol-RFamide II) from the hydromedusa Polyorchis penicillatus.

Using a radioimmunoassay for the sequence Arg-Phe-NH2 (RFamide), we have isolated the peptide less than Glu-Trp-Leu-Lys-Gly-Arg-Phe-NH2 (Pol-RFamide II) from acetic acid extracts of the hydromedusa Polyorchis penicillatus. This peptide is a neuropeptide and constitutes a peptide family together with less than Glu-Leu-Leu-Gly-Gly-Arg-Phe-NH2 (Pol-RFamide I), the first neuropeptide isolated from Polyorchis, and less than Glu-Gly-Arg-Phe-NH2 (Antho-RFamide), a neuropeptide isolated from sea anemones and sea pansies.     

Tetrakis-[1-methylimidazoline-2(3H)-thione]-μ2-[1-methylimidazoline- 2(3H)-thione]-Di-Copper(I) sulphate trihydrate: Preparation, thermal analysis and crystal structure

1-emthylimidazoline-2(3H)-thione (mimtH) reacts with copper(II) sulphate pentahydrate in aqueous acetone to produce the dinuclear complex, Cu₂(mimtH)₅SO₄ · 3H₂O; the formula has been established by a combination of chemical and thermal analysis. The monoclinic crystals, (space group P_c, Z = 2), contain dinuclear cations, sulphate ions and water molecules. The dinuclear cation, Cu₂(mimtH)₅²⁺, consists of two trigonal copper(I) atoms, four terminal, monodentate, S-donating mimtH molecules and one S-bridging (μ₂) mimtH molecule. Some average dimensions are:Cu---S, 2.258 Å and S---Cu---S, 120.0°; the Cu---S---Cu bridging angle is 94.8° and the Cu---Cu separation distance is 3.308 Å.     

Inotropic response elicited by nematocyst contents of Hydra oligactis (Coelenterata: Hydrozoa)

1. Intact, isolated nematocysts from the non-toxic, freshwater coelenterate Hydra oligactis contain soluble material(s) capable of producing a sustained increase in the rate of developed force in the vertebrate myocardium. 2. The positive inotropic effects of this material(s) appear grossly comparable to those described for Anthopleurin-A (AP-A) and Toxin II (ATX-II) from sea anemones. 3. The effects of the nematocyst material are distinct from those of known vasoactive peptides reported to occur in Hydra.     

Mechanistic details for metathetical exchange between XCO (X = O and RN) and the tin(II) dimer, {Sn[N(SiMe3)2] (μ-OBu)}2

Metathetical exchange between carbon dioxide and the tin(II) dimer, {Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂](μ-OBu¹)}₂ (3) has been observed to cleanly produce the two new heteroleptic tin(II) dimers, Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂](μ-OBu^t)₂Sn(OSiMe₃) (6) and [Sn(OSiMe₃)](μ-OBu^t)]₂ (7]). In addition, reaction of 3 with I equiv, of tert-butylisocyanate (8), at 25°C, quantitatively provides 6, and with 2 equiv., quantitatively provides 7. Likewise 6 reacts with 1 equiv, of 8 to quantitatively provide 7. The mechanism for these latter processes has been investigated by low temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopy which reveals that metathetical exchange does not involve the tri-coordinate tin(II) centers of the dimeric structures, but rather, it occurs, in each case, via the transient monomeric tin(II) species, Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂](μ-OBu^t) (4), that undergoes metathesis to produce, initially the open dimer intermediate, Sn(OCNBu^t)(OSiMe₃)(μ-OBu^t)Sn(OBu^t) (OSiMe₃) (12), that is observed at −10°C. Subsequent redistribution reactions then generate the final products that are observed. Together, these mechanistic details provide additional support for the ‘monomeric tin(II)’ hypothesis proposed earlier for metathetical exchange between XCO and Sn[N (SiMe₃)₂]₂ (1).     

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of transition metal–azide complexes coordinated with pyridyl nitronyl nitroxides

Two novel complexes Co(N₃)₂(PNN)₄ (I) and Mn(N₃)₂(PNN)₂(CH₃OH)(C₂H₅OH) (II) (PNN=2-(p-pyridyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3–oxide) were synthesized and characterized by infrared spectra, elemental analyses and UV–Vis techniques. The crystal structures of both complexes have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex I is a neutral five-spin system and adopts a centrosymmetric tetragonally compressed octahedral coordination geometry in which Co(II) ion is coordinated to four radicals through the nitrogen atoms of the pyridine rings and two azide anions occupying the axial positions. Complex II is a neutral three-spin system in which Mn(II) ion is bound to two azide anions, two alcohol molecules and two radicals through the nitrogen atom of pyridine rings, and shows one-dimensional chain structure via hydrogen bonds (d_ON=2.78 Å). The magnetic properties for complexes I and II have been investigated in the temperature range 2–300 K. A theoretical model has been developed for complex I and the magnetic behaviors for both complexes have been discussed in detail.     

Separation and characterization of stroma and grana membranes — evidence for heterogeneity in antenna size of both Photosystem I and Photosystem II

A rapid procedure to fractionate the thylakoid membrane into two well-separated vesicle populations, one originating from the grana and the other from the stroma-membrane region, has been developed. This was achieved by sonication of thylakoids present in an aqueous two-phase system followed by partitioning either by countercurrent distribution or by a batch procedure in three steps. The membrane populations were analysed according to their composition and photochemical activities. The grana membranes comprise, on chlorophyll basis, about 60% of the thylakoid material and are enriched in PS II, but also contain some PS I, while the stroma membranes comprise about 40% and are enriched in PS I, but also contain some PS II. Cytochrome f was slightly enriched in the grana-derived vesicle fraction. The properties of both PS I and PS II differ between the two populations. The PS I of the grana fraction (PS I) reached half-saturation at about half the light intensity of the PS I in the stroma-membrane fraction (PS I_β). The rate of P-700 photooxidation under low light illumination was higher for PS I than for PS I_β (30% larger rate constant), showing that PS I has a larger antenna. The PS II of the grana fraction (PS II) reached half-saturation at half the light intensity compared to the PS II of the stroma-membrane fraction (PS II_β). The results show that the grana-derived membranes contain PS I and PS II which have larger functional antenna sizes than the corresponding PS I_β and PS II_β of the stroma membranes. The results suggest that the photosystems of the grana are designed to allow effective electron transport both at low and high light intensities, while the stroma-membrane photosystems mainly work at high light intensities as a supplement to the grana systems.     

The structure of the dichromium compound Cr2(μ-OH)2(μ-3,5Cl2-form)2(η-3,5Cl2-form)2

With exposure to trace amounts of air and moisture, the Cr₂(II, II) complex Cr₂(μ-3,5Cl₂-form)₄, where 3,5Cl₂-form is [(3,5-Cl₂C₆H₃)NC(H)N(3,5-Cl₂C₆H₃)⁻], undergoes an oxidative addition reaction. Structural information from the X-ray crystal structure of the edge-sharing bioctahedral (ESBO) Cr₂(III, III) product Cr₂(μ-OH)₂(μ-3,5Cl₂-form)₂(η²-3,5Cl₂-form)₂ (1) indicates 1 has a significantly longer Cr–Cr distance [2.732(2) Å] than Cr₂(μ-3,5Cl₂-form)₄ [1.9162(10) Å], but the shortest Cr–Cr distance in an ESBO Cr₂(III, III) complex recorded to date.     

Intersystem exciton transfer in isolated chloroplasts

The following arguments in favor of exciton transfer between the two photosystems are presented:

1. (1) MgCl₂ (1–10 mM range) decreases the intersystem transfer but does not modify the partition of absorbed photons between the photosystems. MgCl₂ addition causes a simultaneous increase of excitation life time (τ) and of fluorescence intensity (F). The same linear relationship is obtained with or without added Mg²⁺.

2. (2) The deactivation of Photosystem II by the Photosystem II to Photosystem I transfer increases with the level of reduced Photosystem II traps. When all Photosystem II traps are closed, half of Photosystem II excitons are deactivated by transfer to Photosystem I.

3. (3) From the relative values of the 685-nm fluorescence yield and System II electron transport rate in limiting light, measured with and without MgCl₂, the values of rate constants of Photosystem II deactivation were calculated.

4. (4) The intersystem transfer determines a 715-nm variable fluorescence, which is lowered by MgCl₂ addition. When this transfer is decreased by MgCl₂ the efficiency of the transfer between Photosystem II-connected units is enhanced, and a more sigmoidal fluorescence rise is obtained.

A double-layer model of the thylakoid membrane where each photosystem is restricted to one leaflet is proposed to explain the decrease of the intersystem transfer after adding cations. It is suggested that MgCl₂ decreases the thickness of the Photosystem I polar region, increasing the distance between the pigments of the two photosystems.     

P-3A and (−)-desacetamido P-3A: demonstration and Study of their effective functional cleavage of duplex DNA

A study of the Fe(II) complexes of P-3A (1) and (−)-desacetamido P-3A (2) abilities to cleave duplex DNA was conducted through examination of single-strand and double-strand cleavage of supercoiled φX174 RFI DNA (Form I) in the presence of O₂ to produce relaxed (Form II) and linear (Form III) DNA, respectively. Like Fe(II)-bleomycin A₂ and deglycobleomycin A₂, Fe(II)-1 and 2 effectively produced both single- and double-strand cleavage of supercoiled φX174 DNA. Unlike Fe(II)-bleomycin A₂ or deglycobleomycin A₂, Fe(II)-1 and 2 were found to cleave duplex w794 DNA with no discemible sequence selectively suggesting that the polynucleotide recognition of the C-terminus tetrapeptide S subunit of the bleomycins including the bithiazole may dominate the bleomycin A₂ DNA cleavage selectivity.     

Isolation of a thermodynamically unfavorable [Ni(DACO)2] complex and its isomer: syntheses, characterization, crystal structures and theoretical study (DACO=1,5-diazacyclooctane)

Two Ni^II complexes of 1,5-diazacyclooctane (DACO), [Ni(DACO)₂]Br₂ (I) and [Ni(DACO)₂]Br·ClO₄ (II) have been newly synthesized and characterized. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of DACO and both Ni^II complexes reveals that DACO takes boat/chair conformation in the solid state and its Ni^II complexes. In complex I, Ni^II ion is at the center of symmetry, which is four-coordinated by nitrogen donors of DACO. However, in complex II, an unexpected coordination mode of [M(DACO)₂]²⁺ (M=Cu^II and Ni^II) was found, in which two DACO ligands are related to each other by a mirror plane and the coordination sphere of Ni^II is a distorted planar geometry. Furthermore, complexes I and II form quite different packing patterns (macrocycle or chain) through hydrogen bonds, which may be a key role to stabilize the crystals. The results of theoretical calculation indicate that complex I has thermodynamic stability, while II has chemical stability. Therefore, both of them have the probability to be obtained from different reaction processes or conditions.     

Catalytic reduction of acetylene in the presence of molybdenum and iron clusters, including FeMo cofactor of nitrogenase

Acetylene was reduced by zinc amalgam in the presence of three synthetic polynuclear complexes: {[Mg₂Mo₈O₂₂(OMe)₆(MeOH)₄]⁻²·[Mg(MeOH)₆]²⁺}6MeOH (I), (Bu₄N)₂[Fe₄S₄(SPh)₄] (II), [Me₄N][VFe₃S₄Cl₃(DMF)₃]·2DMF (III) and the iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase Azotobacter vinelandii MoFe₇(S²⁻)₉·homocitrate, FeMo-co (IV). Thiophenol was found to greatly facilitate the reaction in the presence of complexes I, II, IV. The reaction is catalytic and for I and IV proceeds at the amalgam surface. Thiophenol seems to increase the adsorption of the complexes, serving as an electron bridge to transfer electrons to the catalyst. In the case of II a homogeneous reduction of the substrate occurs presumably after the cluster reduction at the surface and with III the catalytic reduction proceeds only under the action of sodium amalgam; no thiophenol cocatalytic action is observed. Relevance to N₂ enzymatic reduction is discussed.     

Influence of chelators and iron ions on the production and degradation of H2O2 by beta-amyloid-copper complexes

β-Amyloid peptide (Aβ) 1–42, involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, binds copper ions to form Aβ · Cu_n complexes that are able to generate H₂O₂ in the presence of a reductant and O₂. The production of H₂O₂ can be stopped with chelators. More reactive than H₂O₂ itself, hydroxyl radicals HO (generated when a reduced redox active metal complex interacts with H₂O₂) are also probably involved in the oxidative stress that creates brain damage during the disease. We report in the present work a method to monitor the effect of chelating agents on the production of hydrogen peroxide by metallo-amyloid peptides. The addition of H₂O₂ associated to a pre-incubation step between ascorbate and Aβ · Cu_n allows to study the formation of H₂O₂ but also, at the same time, its transformation by the copper complexes. Aβ · Cu_n peptides produce but do not efficiently degrade H₂O₂. The reported analytic method, associated to precipitation experiments of copper-containing amyloid peptides, allows to study the inhibition of H₂O₂ production by chelators. The action of a ligand such as EDTA is probably due to the removal of the copper ions from Aβ · Cu_n, whereas bidentate ligands such as 8-hydroxyquinolines probably act via the formation of ternary complexes with Aβ · Cu_n. The redox activity of these bidentate ligands can be modulated by the incorporation or the modification of substituents on the quinoline heterocycle.     

Kinetic properties of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase from lupin nodules and roots

The kinetic properties of two forms of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC I and PEPC II, EC 4.1, 1.31) from lupin ( Lupinus luteus L. cv. Ventus) nodules and one enzyme form (PEPC III) from roots were studied. The Michaelis constant (K_m) values for PEP, Mg²⁺ and especially HCO₃⁻were lower for PEPC I. Kinetic studies showed that aspartate is a competitive inhibitor at pH 7.2 and inhibitor constant (K_i) values are different for the three forms of PEPC. Malate is a competitive inhibitor for PEPC I and PEPC III and shows mixed-type inhibition for PEPC II. Malate inhibition is dependent upon the pH of the assay. Different effect of several metabolites was also observed. The temperature optimum was near 39°C for PEPC I and around 43°C for PEPC II and PEPC III. PEPC I appeared to be the most thermolabile. It is suggested that PEPC I from lupin nodules is closely associated with N₂ fixation.     

Coelenterate Neuropeptides: Structure, Action and Biosynthesis

Evolutionary "old" nervous systems such as those of coelenteratesare peptidergic: Using various radioimmunoassays we have nowisolated 13 novel neuropeptides from sea anemones and severalothers from hydrozoan polyps and medusae. These peptides areall structurally related and contain the C-terminal sequenceArg-X-NH₂ or Lys-X-NH₂, where X is Ala, Asn, Ile, Phe, Pro orTrp. Three neuropeptides have a novel N-terminal L-3-phenyllactylresidue, which protects against degradation by nonspecific aminopeptidases.The neuropeptides from sea anemones are produced by differentsets of neurones and have excitatory or inhibitory actions onisolated muscle preparations, suggesting that they are neurotransmittersor neuromodulators. We have also cloned the precursor proteinfor the sea-anemone neuropeptide Antho-RFamide (<Glu-Gly-Arg-Phe-NH₂).In Calliactis parasitica this precursor harbours 19 copies ofimmature Antho-RFamide (Gln-Gly-Arg-Phe-Gly) together with 7other, putative neuropeptide sequences. The precursor of Anthopleuraelegantissima contains 14 copies of Antho-RFamide and 19 other,putative neuropeptides. This shows that the biosynthetic machineryfor neuropeptides in coelenterates, the lowest animal grouphaving a nervous system, is already very efficient and similarto that of higher invertebrates, such as molluscs and insects,and vertebrates.