Dibutyryl cGMP: inhibitor of the effect of cholecystokinin and gastrin on the guinea pig gallbladder in vitro

N², O²-di-butyryl guanosine 3′:5′ monophosphate (Bt₂ cGMP), a known competitive and selective inhibitor of the effect of cholecystokinin on the pancreatic acinar cells $\text{in}$$\text{vitro}$ was tested for its effect on the guinea pig gallbladder $\text{in}$$\text{vitro}$. Bt₂ cGMP inhibited competitively the contractile effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide, and also inhibited the contraction induced by sulfated gastrin-17. Bt₂ cGMP failed to inhibit the contraction induced by bombesin, acetylcholine or histamine. The 8-bromo derivative of cGMP and the dibutyryl derivative of cAMP did not affect contraction stimulated by cholecystokinin octapeptide. Since it is specific for gastrincholecystokinin peptides, and not restricted to the pancreas, Bt₂ cGMP could be used to recognize the action of these peptides.     

A nitroxide-sterol derivative potently modifies cholesterol biosynthesis by normal and neoplastic guinea pig lymphocytes

Leukemic guinea pig lymphocytes (L₂ C) synthesise cholesterol in vitro at a forty-fold greater rate than normal cells. Equilibration (18 h) with lecithin or lecithin-cholesterol liposomes, respectively, enhances or suppresses sterol manufacture by normal lymphocytes but does not influence sterol production by L₂ C cells. In contrast, $\text{> 5·10}{}^9$ molecules/cell of a nitroxide-derivative of androstane, (17 β-hydroxy-4′,4′-dimethylspiro [5 α-androstan-3,2′-oxazolidin]-3′-yloxyl), commonly used as a membrane spin-probe, drastically inhibit sterol production by both normal and leukemic cells (maximum within 2 h). At $\text{< 5·10}{}^9$ molecules/cell, this sterol stimulates cholesterol synthesis. 25-Hydroxycholesterol at low concentrations also stimulates sterol manufacture, whereas high concentrations are also inhibitory in both cell types.     

Effect of O2-monobutyryl guanosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate on hepatic metabolism of free fatty acids.

Livers from fed male rats were perfused $\text{in vitro}$ with O^2′-monobutyryl guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate. The output of triglyceride was reduced, while output of ketone bodies and glucose was stimulated by 10^?4M monobutyryl guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate. No effect was observed with 10^?5 M nucleotide. Monobutyryl guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate did not affect uptake of free fatty acids. In these respects, monobutyryl guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate mimics the effects of dibutyryl adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate, although the guanylic nucleotide seems to be less potent than the adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate derivative.     

Biological activities of a chemically synthesized form of leukotriene E4

A chemically synthesized form of leukotriene E₄ (LTE₄) has been studied for its ability to induce contractions in isolated guinea pig ilea, to induce vascular permeability changes in rat skin when injected intradermally, and to induce bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs after intravenous injection. The synthetic compound induced a contraction in the guinea pig ileum which was slower in developing than that induced by histamine but faster in developing than that induced by a crude preparation of SRS-A isolated from guinea pig lung. The compound was 70-fold more active than histamine on the guinea pig ileum (EC₅₀ of 5 × 10^?9 and 3.5 × 10^?7 M, respectively). FPL 55712, a known SRS-A antagonist, exhibited the same potency in blocking the contractions elicited by the synthetic material as it did in blocking contractions produced by guinea pig SRS-A generated biologically (IC₅₀ of 3.5 × 10^?8 M). The synthetic LTE₄ induced a dose dependent increase in vascular permeability in the rat skin which was antagonized by the intravenous injection of FPL 55712 (ID₅₀ of 1.2 mg/kg). The synthetic material was also a potent bronchoconstrictor in the guinea pig when injected intravenously. The bronchoconstriction, too, was antagonized by FPL 55712 when injected intravenously (ID₅₀ of 0.2 mg/kg). In both the rat and guinea pig, FPL 55712 exhibited a short duration of action $\text{in vivo}$. The $\text{in vivo}$ model systems discussed in this study, utilizing the synthetic form of LTE₄ should be useful in the future evaluation of other SRS-A antagonists.     

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate: Light-mediated breakdown in the vertebrate retina

Isolated frog ($\text{Rana}\text{Pipiens}$) retinas were labeled in the dark with either [³²P]PO₄-orthophosphate or $\text{myo}$-[2-³H]inositol for 2.5–4 hrs. After washing the retinas with cold buffer, they were exposed to brief flashes of light (5 secs or 15 secs) and their rod outer segments isolated. Upon separation of labeled phospholipids, a specific decrease in label in phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate was observed, whereas there was no significant effect on the labeling of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate, phosphatidylinositol, or phosphatidic acid. These results are indicative of a light-activated phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-specific phospholipase C in frog rod outer segments.     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine conjugates of cortisol and cortisone.

Superior antitumor activity of 1-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) conjugates of prednisolone and prednisone against L1210 leukemic mice, based on ara-C content, has encouraged us to synthesize 5′-(cortisone-21-phosphoryl)-1-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (I) and 5′-(cortisone-21-phosphoryl)-1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine (II) by condensation of N⁴,2′,3′-triacetyl-1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine 5′-monophosphate with cortisol and cortisone in the presence of N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide at room temperature followed by removing the acetyl groups in 2 N methanolic ammonia in 20% yield. The conjugates I and II inhibited the $\text{in}\text{vitro}$ growth of L1210 by 50% (ED₅₀) at 0.25 μM and 0.07 μM, respectively, while ara-C showed ED₅₀ 0.1 μM. However, the conjugates I and II exhibited 287% and 238% of $\text{T}\text{C}$ at 50 mg/kg/day × 5 doses against L1210 leukemic mice, respectively, while ara-C at 25 mg and 50 mg/kg/day × 5 gave the respective 127% and 110% of $\text{T}\text{C}$.     

Effect of methylglyoxal bis (guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) in vivo on the decarboxylation of s-adenosylmethionine and synthesis of spermidine in the rat and guinea pig.

The rates of decarboxylation of $\text{S}$-adenosylmethionine and synthesis of spermidine have been measured in extracts of liver, kidney and brain of the rat and guinea pig after intraperitoneal injection of MGBG, both before and after dialysis. The rate of decarboxylation of $\text{S}$-adenosylmethionine paralleled that of spermidine synthesis in all of the tissues investigated, even when spermidine synthesis was measured using preformed decarboxylated $\text{S}$-adenosylmethionine as substrate instead of $\text{S}$-adenosylmethionine itself. MGBG inhibited CO₂ production and spermidine synthesis to a similar extent in extracts of liver and kidney of both the rat and the guinea pig. After dialysis, a similar increase in both CO₂ production and spermidine synthesis was noted in these extracts. No effects on CO₂ production or spermidine synthesis were noted on extracts of brain of the rat or guinea pig, either before or after dialysis. When MGBG was injected intracisternally, CO₂ production and spermidine synthesis by extracts of brain were inhibited to the same extent, and after dialysis a similar increase in CO₂ production and spermidine synthesis was observed. These results indicate that the effects of MGBG are essentially the same in brain as they are in liver and kidney, and the MGBG injected intraperitoneally does not pass into the brain.     

DNA polymerase alpha, beta and gamma activities in rabbit spleen cell populations stimulated by various doses of concanavalin A

Adherence and phagocytosis of ⁵¹chromium labeled sheep red blood cells ([⁵¹Cr]-sRBC) by P388 D₁ cells in tissue culture were studied under various conditions and were found to possess certain requirements including opsonization, temperature, microfilaments and cyclic nucleotide levels. Exogenous administration of 10^?2 M N⁶, O²-dibutyryl adenosine 3′–5′ cyclic monophosphoric acid (db-cAMP) or adenosine 3′–5′ cyclic monophosphoric acid (cAMP) inhibited phagocytosis of opsonized [⁵¹Cr]-sRBC by 36 and 42%, respectively. Aminophylline potentiated the inhibitory response to both cAMP and db-cAMP. The measurement of endogenous cyclic nucleotide levels during phagocytosis of opsonized sRBC showed a rise in guanosine 3′–5′ cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) during the first 5 min with a gradual decline to control levels at 45 min and a rise in cAMP levels reaching a peak at 30 min which remained above control values for the duration of the experiment. As the rate of phagocytosis decreased the ratio of $\text{cAMP}\text{cGMP}$ increased. These observations emphasize the importance of metabolic functions and cyclic nucleotides during phagocytosis by the P388 D₁ cells and strengthen the usefulness of the P388 D₁ cells as a model in evaluating various macrophage activities.     

Adenosine-elicited accumulation of cyclic AMP in brain slices: potentiation by agents which inhibit uptake of adenosine

The uptake and incorporation of low concentrations of radioactive adenosine into guinea pig cerebral cortical slices is effectively inhibited by dipyridamole, hexobendine, papaverine, 6-($\text{p}$-nitrobenzylthio) guanosine, 5′-deoxy-adenosine and N⁶-phenyladenosine and ineffectively inhibited by other adenosine analogs such as 2-chloroadenosine, 3′-deoxyadenosine and tubercidin or by phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as theophylline, isobutylmethylxanthine, and N, 0-dibutyrylcyclic AMP. When uptake of 10–20

adenosine is inhibited 50–70% by dipyridamole, hexobendine, papaverine or 6-($\text{p}$-nitrobenzylthio)-guanosine, the adenosine-elicited accumulation of cyclic AMP is potentiated 2–3 fold. Potentiation of the effects of low concentrations of adenosine by various agents parallels more closely their efficacy as inhibitors of adenosine uptake rather than their potency as phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Amine-elicited accumulations of cyclic AMP are enhanced by hexobendine, dipyridamole, papaverine and 6-($\text{p}$-nitrobenzylthio) guanosine and this enhancement is blocked by an adenosine antagonist, theophylline. The stimulatory effects of the adenosine analogs, 5′-deoxyadenosine, 2-chloroadenosine and N⁶-phenyladenosine are blocked by theophylline and potentiated by hexobendine. The results are compatible with the hypothesis that the specific inhibition of uptake of adenosine potentiates adenosine or amine-elicited accumulations of cyclic AMP by increasing the effective extracellular concentration of adenosine within the slice. The inhibition or stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation by adenosine analogs is consonant with differential activities as agonist or antagonist at an extracellular adenosine receptor.     

The dextro and levorotatory isomers of N-phenylisopropyladenosine: stereospecific effects on cyclic AMP-formation and evoked synaptic responses in brain slices.

The stereoisomers of N⁶-phenylisopropyladenosine elicit accumulations of cyclic AMP in brain slices via interaction with adenosine-receptors. The response in guinea pig cerebral cortical slices and in rat hippocampal slices is blocked by theophylline and potentiated by biogenic amines. A chelator, EGTA, potentiates the response to phenylisopropyladenosine in guinea pig cerebral cortical slices. The $\text{1}$-isomer (EC₅₀ 25 μM) is four- to five-fold more potent than the $\text{d}$-isomer in eliciting accumulations of cyclic AMP in brain slices. In a rat coronal hippocampal slice $\text{in vitro}$, $\text{1}$-phenylisopropyladenosine (IC₅₀ ～ 0.7 μM) reduces the amplitude of evoked synaptic responses generated $\text{via}$ a monosynaptic pathway to the CA1 pyramidal neurons. The $\text{d}$-isomer is nearly one hundred-fold less potent. Thus, the adenosine-receptors involved in the electrophysical response appear much more stereoselective for the $\text{1}$-isomer of phenylisopropyladenosine than the adenosine-receptors involved in cyclic AMP-generation in brain slices.     

Radioimmunoassay for urinary metabolites of prostaglandin F2α

Antibodies against the main urinary metabolite of PGF_2α in the human, 5α,7α-dihydroxy-11-ketotetranorprosta-1,16-dioic acid, were raised in rabbits. The compound was coupled selectively in the ω position to bovine serum albumin prior to injection. The resulting antibodies did not distinguish between tetranor compounds varying only in structure at the ω carbon, and thus the assay could be used also for other metabolites of PGF_2α, e.g. the main urinary metabolite in the guinea pig, 5α,7α-dihydroxy-11-ketotetranorprostanoic acid. Labeled ligands for the assays were prepared either $\text{in vivo}$ by injection of |17,18-³H|-PGF_2α into humans after several days' treatment with indomethacin, or $\text{in vitro}$ by incubation of |17,18-³H|-15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF_2α with mitochondria from rat liver. The sensitivity of the assay was 10 pg or 4 pg with these two preparations, respectively.The assay was employed for a number of measurements: normal daily excretion in a number of humans; excretion of urinary metabolites during treatment with prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors in human subjects, or after intravenous injection of PGF_2α; excretion during human pregnancy; and prostaglandin production in the guinea pig during normal estrous cycles and pregnancies and after estrogen treatment.The results of these studies were in several cases compared to similar measurements earlier performed using mass spectrometric methods, and were found to agree well. Thus, this radioimmunoassay provides a simple and accurate method for estimating prostaglandin production, particularly suitable for long-term studies and for cases where repeated blood sampling must be avoided.     

5' Cap methylation of homologous poly A(+) RNA by a RNA (guanine-7) methyltransferase from Neurospora crassa.

RNA (guanine-7) methyltransferase, partially purified from $\text{N.}\text{crassa}$ mycelia, catalyzed the transfer of the methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine to the 5′ terminus of both $\text{N.}\text{crassa}$ poly A(+) RNA and reovirus unmethylated mRNA. RNase T₂ digestion of the $\text{in}\text{vitro}$ methylated poly A(+) RNA from $\text{N.}\text{crassa}$ yielded the “cap” structures m ⁷G(5′)pppAp and m ⁷G(5′)pppGp in a ratio of 2:1 respectively. RNase T₂ digestion of the $\text{in}\text{vitro}$ methylated reovirus mRNA yielded m ⁷G(5′)pppGp exclusively. The absence of mRNA 2′-0-methyltransferase activity in the enzyme preparation is consistent with the absence of 2′-0-methylation in $\text{N.}\text{crassa}$ mRNA [Seidel, B. L. and Somberg, E. W. (1978) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. $\text{187}$, 108–112]. This is the first isolation of an eucaryotic, cellular RNA (guanine-7) methyltransferase that has been shown to methylate homologous substrate.     

A nucleotide with the properties of adenosine 5′ phosphoramidate from Chlorella cells

We have extracted and purified a nucleotide from cells of $\text{Chlorella}\text{,}\text{pyrenoidose}$ Chick which shares the following properties with adenosine 5′ phosphoramidate; electrophoretic mobility in sodium bicarbonate and in sodium borate buffer (pH 8.0); retention time on high performance liquid chromatography; ultraviolet absorption spectrum at pH 1–2 and 7–9; a yield of one mole each of adenine, ribose, total phosphate and ammonia released at low pH; and formation of adenosine 5′ monophosphate on acidification or treatment with 3′:5′-cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase (EC3.1.4.17). Although formation of APA from its precursor adenosine 5′ phosphosulfate during extraction and purification is not expected this appears to be excluded by the use of low temperature throughout purification and the finding that [¹⁴C] APS added before extraction does not significantly label the adenosine 5′ phosphoramidate isolated. Thus adenosine 5′ phosphoramidate appears to be a normal constituent of $\text{Chlorella}$ cells like the enzyme which forms it: adenylyl sulfate: ammonia adenylyl transferase.     

Specific binding and pharmacological interactions of apamin,the neurotoxin from bee venom,with guinea pig colon

This paper describes the interaction of apamin, the bee venom neurotoxin, with its receptor in the guinea pig colon. The pharmacological activity of the toxin was assayed by measuring its contracting effect on guinea pig colon preparations that had been previously relaxed by neurotensin. The IC₅₀ value of apamin in this $\text{in vitro}$ bioassay is 7 nM. These pharmacological data are compared to the binding properties of apamin to smooth muscle membranes prepared from guinea pig colon. The highly radiolabeled monoiododerivative of apamin binds to its colon receptor with a dissociation constant $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>d</mtext>}}{}^1\text{= 36}\text{pM}$. The maximal binding capacity of colonic membranes is 30^dfmol/mg of protein. The dissociation constant of the unmodified toxin is 23 pM. The difference between the toxin concentrations that produce half-maximal effects in the binding and pharmacological studies arises from the different experimental conditions used for the two assays.     

A role of cathepsin B1 in polymorphonuclear leukocytes chemotaxis.

Cathepsin B_I¹ was purified from rat liver lysosomal fraction by ammonium sulfate fractionation, followed by chromatography on Sephadex G-200 and DEAE-Sephadex. Formation of chemotactic factor for guinea pig polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes was demonstrated $\text{in vitro}$ when guinea pig serum was incubated with cathepsin B_I. This factor formation was dependent on SH-reagent dithiothreitol (DTT) and was maximal at pH 6.0. ZnSO₄, an inhibitor of cathepsin B_I, inhibited the chemotactic factor formation likewise.     

Plasma membrane NADH dehydrogenase and Ca2+-dependent potassium transport in erythrocytes of several animal species

Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ transport and plasma membrane NADH dehydrogenase activities have been studied in several ‘high-K⁺’ (human, rabbit and guinea pig) and ‘low-K⁺’ (dog, cat and sheep) erythrocytes. All the species except sheep showed Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ transport. NADH-ferricyanide reductase was detected in all the species and showed positive correlation with the flavin contents of the membranes. NADH-cytochrome $\text{c}$ reductase was very low or absent in dog, sheep and guinea pig membranes. No correlation was found between NADH dehydrogenase and Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ channel activities in the species studied. Nor were any of the above activities correlated with $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ activity.     

Crystal and molecular structure of [Cu(5'-inosine monophosphate) (dipyridylamine) (H2O)]2.4H2O.

The ternary complex [Cu(5′-IMP)(dpa)(H₂O)]₂ has been prepared and its structure analyzed by x-ray diffraction. It has a dimeric structure in which the 5′-IMP ligands coordinate solely through their phosphate groups. This geometry is in marked contrast to that of another $\text{Cu}\text{5′-}\text{IMP}$ ternary complex, [Cu(5′-IMPH)(bipy)(H₂O)₂]⁺, which shows metal binding through the purine base rather than the phosphate group.     

H1- and H2-histamine receptors linked to adenylate cyclase in cell-free preparations of guinea pig cerebral cortex

Homogenates of whole or selected portions of guinea pig cerebral cortex prelabeled with [$\text{2}$-³H]adenine, were used to study the role of H₁- and H₂-histamine receptors in the activation of adenylate cyclase. Both the H₁-agonist 2-methylhistamine and the H₂-agonist 4-methylhistamine stimulated adenylate cyclase in homogenates of whole cortex and to an even greater degree in homogenates of the hippocampal portion of cortex. The H₁-antagonist tripelennamine inhibited the activation of adenylate cyclase by 2-methylhistamine but was relatively inactive against 4-methylhistamine. Whole cortex was more sensitive than hippocampus to inhibition by tripelennamine. The H₂-antagonist metiamide was equipotent against activation by 2-methylhistamine and 4-methylhistamine. The antidepressant maprotiline had the characteristics of an H₁-antagonist. This is the first cell-free study to demonstrate H₁-receptor-linked adenylate cyclase in guinea pig cerebral cortex. The results provide further support for the involvement of H₁- as well as H₂-receptors in the activation of brain adenylate cyclase.     

ICI 125,211: a new gastric antisecretory agent acting on histamine H2-receptors.

$\text{In}$$\text{vitro}$, ICI 125,211 competitively antagonized the action of dimaprit on guinea pig atrium with an apparent dissociation constant of 1.5 × 10^?8M (pA₂ = 7.8). $\text{In}$$\text{vivo}$, the histamine dose-response curve in conscious gastric fistula beagles was shifted rightward in parallel without change in the maximal response by intravenous infusions of ICI 125,211 at doses of 0.01 and 0.03 umol/kg/hr (estimated pA₂ = 7.3). Our data show that this new drug is at least 10x more potent than cimetidine as an inhibitor of gastric secretion in the dog. ICI 125,211, which is an orally effective antisecretory agent in man and devoid of antiandrogenic activity, is the most potent selective H₂-blocker described to date.     

Lectin and cholera toxin binding to guinea pig tumor (104C1) cell surfaces before and after glycosphingolipid incorporation

¹²⁵I-Labeled $\text{Dolichos biflorus}$ lectin and cholera toxin were used as probes for identification of Forssman- and GM1-type receptor sites on guinea pig tumor (104C1) cell surfaces. Increased binding of ¹²⁵I-labeled lectin and toxin to 104C1 cell surfaces was observed after the cells were treated with exogenous Forssman glycosphingolipid and GM1 ganglioside, respectively. Biosynthesis $\text{in vitro}$ of these two glycosphingolipids from their precursor molecules was established using a membrane preparation isolated from confluent cultures of guinea pig tumor 104C1 cells.