Preparation of 5′-GMP-rich yeast extracts from spent brewer's yeast

Spent brewer's yeast was autolysed and used as a raw material for the preparation of 5-GMP-rich yeast extracts. Malt rootlets were used as a source of 5-phosphodiesterase. The crude enzyme was extracted from malt rootlets and pretreated to inactivate 5-nucleotidase. The optimum pretreatment conditions were heating at 65 °C for 30 min or 70 °C for 7 min. The effects of autolysis time, phosphodiesterase concentration and incubation period on 5-GMP content were examined. The suitable autolysis time was 8 h. The preferable enzyme treatment period was in the range of 8–14 h. Longer autolysis and enzyme incubation periods caused a decrease in the 5-GMP content from 0.7–0.9% (w/w) to 0.2–0.4% (w/w). The 5-GMP content in extracts from debittered and non-debittered yeast was similar. The highest 5-GMP content in yeast extract was 0.93% (w/w), obtained with a phosphodiesterase concentration of 1.6unit/ml of yeast extract (5% solids content).     

5′-Nucleotidase in PC12 cells as revealed by immunocytochemistry

5-Nucleotidase hydrolyzes 5-mononucleotides to their nucleosides but is also thought to have a function in neuronal differentiation and synapse formation. The distribution of the enzyme, a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored sialoglycoprotein, was investigated in PC12 cells using immunofluorescence microscopy. 5-Nucleotidase was located both in intracellular compartments and at the cell surface. There was no principal difference in the cellular distribution between undifferentiated cells and after neuritogenic differentiation by nerve growth factor. Intracellularly, 5-nucleotidase often revealed a sickle-shaped perinuclear distribution and a dotted pattern throughout the cytoplasm, including that of neurites and growth cones. The intracellular distribution was clearly different from that of the synaptic vesicle protein synaptophysin. However, the dotted fluorescence resembled that obtained after uptake of the endosomal marker acridine orange. 5-Nucleotidase was present on the entire cell surface including all neurites formed after differentiation. There was no increase in 5-nucleotidase fluorescence at synapse-like contacts between the tips of neurites and other PC12 cells. Surfacelocated 5-nucleotidase could no longer be detected after the application of glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C to cultured cells. This treatment did not affect PC12 cell differentiation. Our results thus reveal 5-nucleotidase both at the surface and within organelles and suggest that PC12 cells may be used as a model system for the study of the physiological function of 5-nucleotidase in neural cells.     

Light and electron microscopical immunocytochemistry of 5′-nucleotidase in rat cerebellum

Summary 5-Nucleotidase in nervous tissue has so far not been localised at the ultrastructural level using immunocytochemical techniques. We have now applied monoclonal antibodies and a polyclonal antiserum raised against this ecto-enzyme and describe the distribution of 5-nucleotidase antigenicity in rat cerebellum both at the light and electron microscopic levels. Within all cerebellar layers, 5-nucleotidase immunoreactivity was found on plasma membranes of glial elements, i.e. Bergmann glial cell processes crossing the molecular layer, astrocytic end-feet around blood vessels and glial cell extensions surrounding single Purkinje cells. In the granular layer, 5-nucleotidase immunoreactivity was present on glial membranes interposed between granule cells. Neuronal cells or processes were devoid of immunoreactivity. The immunocytochemical results were compared with conventional 5-nucleotidase histochemistry. Both techniques showed the same ecto-localisation of the enzyme and favour the view of 5-nucleotidase being predominantly situated at glial plasma membranes.     

Localization of 5′-nucleotidase in bovine brain myelin fraction and myelin subfractions

Purified myelin from fresh calf brain white matter was subfractionated in a discontinuous sucrose gradient; significant recovery of protein and 2,3-cyclic nucleotide 3-phosphohydrolase (CNP) and 5-nucleotidase (5N) activities occurred in all three obtained subfractions, the highest recovery being in the light subfraction; highest 5N and CNP specific activities were in medium myelin. Purified myelin was also subfractionated in a continuous sucrose gradient, with a similar localization of protein; CNP activity and 5N activity maxima suggest that myelin may be a predominant locus of 5N in bovine brain white matter. Freezing of brain white matter caused an increase in protein and in CNP and 5N total activity recoveries in denser myelin subfractions. Cytochemistry showed the reaction product of 5N in the whole myelin fraction to be associated with the innermost, outermost and medial compact myelin layers. Effects of non-ionic detergent (Lubrol WX) on 5N activity were studied, and the results also suggest the intrinsic nature of 5N as an ectoenzyme in myelin membranes. Lubrol WX was viewed as an advisable detergent for the stimulation of myelin 5N activity, but not for the solubilization of this enzyme.     

Ecto-5′-nucleotidase is expressed by pericytes and fibroblasts in the rat heart

Ecto-5-nucleotidase is anchored at the outer surface of cell membranes and thus its reaction product adenosine is released into the extracellular space. Extracellular adenosine displays via specific receptors a wide range of physiological effects in heart. There are discrepancies in the literature concerning the distribution of ecto-5-nucleotidase in heart. Since we suspected that these may be due to technical problems, in the present study on ecto-5-nucleotidase in rat heart we attempted to circumvent some technical pitfalls. Good preservation of the tissue with open capillary lumina, providing a clear identification of endothelium, was obtained by perfusion fixation. At the light microscopic level, the distribution of ecto-5-nucleotidase studied by enzyme histochemistry and immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal and a polyclonal antibody yielded congruent results. The enzyme was rather homogeneously distributed throughout the myocardium, with a slightly higher incidence of stained cells in the outer thirds than in the inner third of the wall. Consistently high levels of ecto-5-nucleotidase were seen only in interstitial cells. The walls of large vessels and heart muscle cells were constantly negative for ecto-5-nucleotidase. The endothelia of capillaries were mostly negative but a few profiles occasionally displayed a weak immunoreaction. The interstitial cells staining positive for ecto-5-nucleotidase could be identified as pericytes and as fibroblasts according to their shapes and localizations. The immunoreactivity of fibroblasts was confirmed by electron microscopy. These data indicate that adenosine may be formed extracellularly in the interstitium of the myocardium, where it would have direct access to important targets such as myocytes, arterioles and nerve endings.     

Serial production of nucleoside-5′-triphosphates and uracil from 3′-mononucleotides by intact yeast cells

Summary Nucleoside-5-triphosphates such as 5-ATP and 5-GTP can be produced efficiently and continuously from 3-mononucleotides such as 3-AMP and 3-GMP by a series of processes consisting of two reaction phases using dried cells of Candida sp. N-25-2 (a hydrocarbon assimilating yeast). Moreover, incidentally to the 5-triphosphates, free uracil is yielded almost stoichiometrically from 3-CMP and 3-UMP which, as is well known, are main concomitant products depolymerized from RNA. Uracil is then also available for many usage.     

Effect of Melatonin on the Intensity of Adenosine Production in the Rat Forebrain under Conditions of Acute Hypoxia and Varied Photoperiodicity

We studied the effect of injections of melatonin and modifications of the duration of illumination on the activity of 5-nucleotidase, an enzyme providing synthesis of adenosine, in the forebrain of juvenile male albino rats. The measurements were performed under conditions of acute hypobaric hypoxia. We found that, under conditions of natural illumination, neither isolated injections of melatonin nor acute hypoxia noticeably changed the activity of 5-nucleotidase. At the same time, acute hypoxia combined with melatonin injections increased the activity of this enzyme. A similar noticeable rise in the activity of 5-nucleotidase was observed after melatonin injections in normoxic animals kept in constant darkness, and in rats subjected to hypoxia without the above injections but under conditions of constant illumination. These data allow us to suppose that melatonin (whose level in the extracellular medium is a factor providing synchronization of endogenous temporal rhythms) stimulates 5-nucleotidase-mediated production of adenosine in brain neurons. Acute hypoxia promotes such an effect of melatonin.     

5′-Nucleotidase

Summary To get more insight in the function of 5-nucleotidase catabolic and anabholic processes were investigated in which 5-nucleotides are involved. The catabolism of adenosine-5-monophosphate was studied by investigating the reaction products obtained after incubation of homogenates of several organs of rat and mouse with adenosine-5-monophosphate and with adenosine. Two experimental tumours of the mouse were investigated in the same way. It was found that in tissues containing a high activity of 5-nucleotidase other enzymes involved in the catabolism of 5-nucleotides, such as nucleosidase, adenosine deaminase and adenosine-5-monophosphate deaminase could also be demonstrated.The anabolic processes in which 5-nucleotides are involved had been studied by investigating the incorporation of tritium-labeled thymidine in several tissues of the mouse. It appeared that in cells showing a high 5-nucleotidase activity no incorporation of radioactive thymidine could be found, while in cells showing incorporation of thymidine enzyme activity could not be demonstrated.A discussion is given about the possible role of 5-nucleotidase in the control of nucleic acid biosynthesis and in the catabolism of nucleic acids.Abbreviations used DNA deoxyribonucleic acid - RNA ribonucleic acid - AMP Adenosine-5-monophosphate - ADP Adenosine-5-diphosphate - ATP Adenosine-5-triphosphate - IMP Inosine-5-monophosphate - GMP Guanosine-5-monophosphate - GDP Guanosine-5-diphosphate - GTP guanosine-5-triphosphate - CMP Cytidine-5-monophosphate - CDP Cytidine-5-diphosphate - CTP Cytidine-5-triphosphate - UMP Uridine-5-monophosphate - UDP Uridine-5-diphosphate - UTP Uridine-5-triphosphate - TMP Thymidine-5-monophosphate - TDP Thymidine-5-diphosphate - TTP Thymidine-5-triphosphate - Ado Adenosine - Ad Adenine - Ino Inosine - Hypox Hypoxanthine - Xanth Xanthine - Xantho Xanthosine - Guano Guanosine - Gua Guanine - Ura Uracil - U Uridine - Cyt Cytidine - Cyto Cytosine - Thym Thymidine The corresponding deoxy-compounds have been indicated with the prefix d for instance dCMP, deoxycytidine-5-monophosphate.     

Distribution of 5′-nucleotidase in the renal interstitium of the rat

Summary The hydrolysis of 5-AMP by 5-nucleotidase is the main source of adenosine. In various tissues adenosine is a local mediator adjusting the organ work to the available energy. In the kidney it regulates renal hemodynamics, glomerular filtration rate and renin release via specific receptors of the arteriolar walls. By immunocytochemistry we identified interstitial and tubular sites of 5-nucleotidase in the rat kidney. In the interstitium the enzyme was detected only in the cortical labyrinth, the compartment that comprises all arteriolar vessels besides other putative targets of adenosine. The 5-nucleotidase-positive cells of the interstitium were identified as fibroblasts. The fibroblasts are in close contact with the tubules as well as with the vessels. Thus, any 5-AMP released by the tubules into the interstitial space would be converted to adenosine in the direct vicinity of its assumed targets. Adenosine produced by tubular cells would hardly have access to its known targets, since 5-nucleotidase is restricted to the luminal cell surface. Pathological events affecting the fibroblasts might influence renal function by modifying the interstitial adenosine production.     

Geometry of the dry-state oligomerization of 2′,3′-cyclic phosphates

Summary Evaporation of a solution of thymidine plus either theexo or theendo diastereomer of uridine cyclic 2,3-O, O-phosphorothioate (U > p(S) in 1,2-diaminoethane hydrochloride buffer gave the 2,5 and 3,5 isomers of (P-thio) uridylylthymidine (Up(S)dT) in a ratio of 1:2 with a combined yield of about 20%. These isomers were re-converted to U > p(S) and dT by a reaction that is known to proceed by an in-line mechanism. Both the 2,5 and 3,5 isomers gave as product the same diastereomer of U > p(S) that had been used originally in their formation. These dry-state prebiotic reactions (Verlander, Lohrmann, and Orgel 1973) are thus shown to be stereospecific, and both the 2,5 and 3,5 internucleotide bonds are formed by an in-line mechanism.Abbreviations DAE 1,2-diaminoethane - HPLC high pressure liquid chromatography - RNase bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A, EC 3.1.4.22 - TEAB triethylammonium bicarbonate - tris tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane - UMP(S) uridine monophosphorothioate - U > p uridine cyclic 2,3-phosphate - U > p(S) uridine cyclic 2,3-O, O-phosphorothioate - Up(S)dT (P-thio)uridylylthymidine - U2p(R_p-S)5dT (P-thio)uridylylthymidine with theR configuration at phosphorous, and a 2,5 internucleotide linkage     

5′-AMP hydrolysis by suspensions and homogenates of pancreatic islet cells from normal and cortisone-treated rats

Summary Suspensions of endocrine pancreas cells were prepared by shaking collagenase-isolated rat islets of Langerhans in calcium-free buffer. When incubated with 1.0 mM substrate at pH 7.4, the cells split,P _i from 5-AMP at a rate of 87 nmol/h per g DNA, and from-glycerophosphate at a rate of 25 nmol/h per g DNAK _m for 5 AMP was about 54 M. Adenosine or theophylline inhibited the 5-AMP hydrolysis. Homogenization of the cells increased the activity toward 5-AMP by 23% and that toward-glycerophosphate by 115%. Injecting rats with cortisone had no effect on the 5-AMP hydrolysis by whole cells but significantly increased the activity in cell homogenates; the intracellular activity toward 5-AMP was more than doubled by the cortisone treatment. Staining whole islet cells for 5-AMP-splitting activity resulted in a demarcation of the cell periphery in control rats. Cells from cortisone-treated rats showed heavier deposits of reaction product, and their cell periphery did not stand out as clearly. It is suggested that 5-nucleotidase is largely an ectoenzyme in normal rat islet cells. The cells also contain an as yet unidentified intracellular phosphatase that seems to be solely responsible for the increased hydrolysis of 5-AMP in cortisone-treated rats.     

Ecto-5′-nucleotidase from a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line. Correlation between enzyme activity and levels in intact cells

Differences on 5-nucleotidase activity in intact Rugli and BCS-TC2 cells (rat glioblastoma and human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines, respectively) are not due to differences in the characteristics of the ectoenzyme. A membrane-bound 5-nucleotidase from BCS-TC2 cells has been purified to homogeneity with a high specific activity (130 U/mg), yielding a single 72-kDa band on SDS-PAGE. It is a metalloenzyme and, after inhibition by EDTA, its activity can be partially restored by divalent cations. The hydrolysis of the nucleosides 5-monophosphate used as substrate follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics; ADP and concanavalin A are competitive and non-competitive inhibitors of the AMPase activity, respectively. This ecto-5-nucleotidase is a high-mannose glycoprotein; deglycosylation converts the 72-kDa into a 59-kDa protein with a concomitant activity loss. The enzyme purified from BCS-TC2 cells shows similar characteristics from that previously isolated from Rugli cells; differences between them are mainly due to glycosylation. Polyclonal antibodies against 5-nucleotidase from BCS-TC2 cells also show cross-reactivity with the enzyme from Rugli cells. When the ectoenzyme activity is measured in cells in culture, Rugli cells present a higher activity than BCS-TC2 cells however, they express very low amounts of ecto-5-nucleotidase. Our results also show a reduction in protein level and enzyme activity associated with a decrease in the differentiation degree and an increase in tumorigenicity of human colon adenocarcinoma BCS-TC2 sublines.     

The composition of Erythrosins, Fluorescein, Phloxine and Rose Bengal: a study using thin-layer chromatography and solvent extraction

Synopsis Commercial samples of Erythrosin B (CI 45430), Erythrosin Y (CI 45425), Fluorescein (CI 45350), Phloxine (CI 45410) and Rose Bengal (CI 45440) have been analysed by thin-layer chromatography. The Erythrosins were found to be mixtures consisting in the main of 4-iodofluorescein, 4,5-di-iodofluorescein, 2,4,5-triiodofluorescein and 2,4,5,7-tetraiodofluorescein, in some instances together with 2,4,5-tri-iodo-4,5,6,7-tetrachlorofluorescein and 2,4,5,7-tetraiodo-4,5,6,7-tetrachlorofluorescein. Samples of Fluorescein were mixtures of the nominal dye usually with traces of several unidentified, fluorescent components. Those of Phloxine consisted mainly of mixtures of 4-bromo-4,5,6,7-tetrachlorofluorescein, 4,5-dibromo-4,5,6,7-tetrachlorofluorescein, 2,4,5-tribromo-4,5,6,7-tetrachlorofluorescein and 2,4,5,7-tetrabromo-4,5,6,7-tetrachlorofluorescein, often with 4,5,6,7-tetrachlorofluorescein Samples of Rose Bengal were mixtures of 4-iodo-4,5,6,7-tetrachlorofluorescein, 4,5-di-iodo-4,5,6,7-tetrachlorofluorescein, 2,4,5-tri-iodo-4,5,6,7-tetrachlorofluorescein and 2,4,5,7-tetraiodo-4,5,6,7-tetrachlorofluorescein together with some unidentified components.Most of the commercial dye samples gave an insoluble residue when extracted with methanol. This residue was usually inorganic carbonate or halide. Some possible practical consequences of the various impurities are discussed.     

Distribution of ecto-5′-nucleotidase in the rat liver: effect of anaemia

In the kidney a striking parallel exists between the expression of ecto-5-nucleotidase and of erythropoietin by renal fibroblasts. It was therefore hypothesized that the expression of ecto-5-nucleotidase in fibroblasts might be controlled by oxygen tension. In order to test this hypothesis, we examined the distribution of the enzyme in a tissue which displays a defined zonation in respect to oxygen tension, namely in the liver; anaemia was used in order to exaggerate this zonation. The distribution of ecto-5-nucleotidase was investigated by light and electron microscopy using enzyme and immunohistochemical methods in the livers of healthy and of anaemic rats. Anaemia was produced by haemolysis combined with X-ray irradiation. The enzyme was detected in the bile canaliculi, in the connective tissue of the portal triads and of the central veins, and in fat-storing cells probably corresponding to a special form of fibroblasts. In healthy animals the perisinusoidal ecto-5-nucleotidase activity was slightly higher in the pericentral than in the periportal area of the acinus whereas the inverse was observed for the staining of bile canaliculi. Anaemia provoked an increase of ecto-5-nucleotidase in fat-storing cells in the pericentral zone of the acinus and in fibroblasts around the central veins, resulting in steepended gradients along the sinusoids. The intralobular gradient of ecto-5-nucleotidase in perisinusoidal cells and the effect thereon of anaemia suggest that the expression of the ecto-5-nucleotidase might be directly or indirectly controlled by local oxygen tension.     

Carotenoid pigments of Sorangium compositum (Myxobacterales) including two new carotenoid glucoside esters and two new carotenoid rhamnosides

Summary The carotenoid pigments of the myxobacterium Sorangium compositum were analyzed by chromatographical and chemical techniques and by visible, infra red, and mass spectroscopy. Besides -carotene, neurosporene, torulene, lycopene, and 1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy--carotene, four new carotenoid glycosides were found. These pigments were identified as 1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy-torulene glucoside ester (I), 1,2-dihydro-3,1-dihydroxy-torulene glucoside ester (III), 1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy-torulene rhamnoside (II), and 1,2-dihydro-3,1-dihydroxytorulene rhamnoside (IV).Fifth communication on the carotenoids of myxobacteria. Fourth communication see Arch. Mikrobiol. 76, 364–380 (1971).     

Dephosphorylated oligoadenylates modulate high voltage-activated calcium currents in GH3 cells

Effects of different forms of C2-5A (2,5ApApA; 2,5ApApepoxyA; and 3,5ApApA) on high voltage-activated (HVA) calcium currents in GH3 cells were studied using the whole-cell patch-clamp recording technique. Addition of 10 µM 2,5ApApA, a core (dephosphorylated) oligoadenylate, to the pipette solution induced an increase in HVA calcium current. Ten minutes after the whole-cell configuration was established, the current magnitude was enhanced about twofold compared with that observed at 2 min. High concentration of Mg²⁺ (5 µM) in the pipette solution blocked this effect. 2,5ApA and 3,5ApApA oligoadenylates, and products of 2,5A hydrolysis, adenosine and AMP, did not change the value of HVA current. A chemically modified analog of 2,5ApApA (2,5ApApepoxyA) has been the oligoadenylate most stable under phosphodiesterase action. Addition of 2,5ApApepoxyA to the pipette solution under the same conditions caused a smaller effect than 2,5ApApA did.Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 26, No. 6, pp. 405–408, November–December, 1994.     

Lipid peroxidation as the mechanism of modification of brain 5′-nucleotidase activity in vitro

The effect of lipid peroxidation on the Mg²⁺-independent and Mg²⁺-dependent activity of brain cell membrane 5-nucleotidase was determined and the affinity of the active sites of Mg²⁺-dependent enzyme for 5-AMP (substrate) and Mg²⁺ (activator) was examined. Brain cell membranes were peroxidized at 37°C in the presence of 100 M ascorbate and 25 M FeCl₂ (resultant) for 10 min. The activity of 5-nucleotidase and lipid peroxidation products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) were determined. At 10 min, the level of lipid peroxidation products increased from 0.20±0.10 to 17.5±1.5 nmoles malonaldehyde/mg membrane protein. The activity of Mg²⁺-independent 5-nucleotidase increased from 0.201±0.020 in controls to 0.305±0.028 mol Pi/mg protein/hr in peroxidized membranes. In the presence of 10mM Mg²⁺, the activity increased by 5.8-fold in the peroxidized membrane preparation in comparison to 14-fold in control In peroxidized preparation, the affinity of active site of Mg²⁺-dependent 5-nucleotidase for 5-AMP tripled, as indicated by a significant decrease inK _m (K _m=95±2 M AMP for control;K _m=32±2 MAMP for peroxidized).V _max was significantly reduced from 3.35±0.16 in control to 1.70±.09 moles Pi/mg protein in peroxidized membranes. The affinity of the active site for Mg²⁺ significantly increased (K _m=6.17±0.37 mM Mg²⁺ for control;K _m=4.0±0.31 peroxidized). The data demonstrate that lipid peroxidation modifies the Mg²⁺-dependent 5-nucleotidase function by altering the active sites for both the substrate and the activator. The modification of the 5-nucleotidase activity and the loss of Mg²⁺-dependent activation observed in this in-vitro study are similar to the changes previously observed by us in the hypoxic brain in-vivo. This suggests that lipid peroxidation which specifically alters the active site may be the underlying mechanism of the modification of 5-nucleotidase during hypoxia.     

Nucleoside Phosphorylation: A Feasible Step in the Prebiotic Pathway to RNA

Plausible prebiotic conditions for the phosphorylation of nucleosides by inorganic phosphate were reported by Lohrmann and Orgel in 1971. This reaction was carried out on heated dry films and promoted by urea. The major products formed were nucleoside-2:3 cyclicPs; 5-NMPs and other derivatives were also formed. Minor modifications of the Lohrmann and Orgel system have resulted in the preferential formation of 5-NMPs. In this modified system a 2-fold preference for phosphorylation of the 5-OH group over the 3(2)-OH group was observed and the formation of other derivatives was minimized. The small amounts of bis compounds that were formed in this system could be quantitatively removed by selective binding to the mineral hydroxylapatite at moderate ionic strengths. It was also discovered that under hydrolytic conditions there was a 3:1 preference for removal of phosphates attached to the 3-OH group over the 5-OH group. A recycling procedure for obtaining additional 5-NMPs from bis compounds and 3-NMPs is proposed.     

A novel PH-CT-COSY methodology for measuring JPH coupling constants in unlabeled nucleic acids. Application to HIV-2 TAR RNA

A quantitative analysis of J_PH scalar couplings in nucleic acids is difficult due to small couplings to phosphorus, the extreme overlap of the sugar protons and the fast relaxation of the spins involved in the magnetization transfer. Here we present a new methodology that relies on heteronuclear Constant Time Correlation Spectroscopy (CT-COSY). The three vicinal ³J_PH3, ³J_PH5 and ³J_PH5 scalar couplings can be obtained by monitoring the intensity decay of the P_i-H3_{i – 1} peak as a function of the constant time T in a 2D correlation map. The advantage of the new method resides in the possibility of measuring the two ³J_PH5 and ³J_PH5 scalar couplings even in the presence of overlapped H5/H5 resonances, since the quantitative information is extracted from the intensity decay of the P-H3 peak. Moreover, the relaxation of the H3 proton is considerably slower than that of the H5/H5 geminal protons and the commonly populated conformations of the phosphate backbone are associated with large ³J_PH3 couplings and relatively small ³J_{PH5 / H5}. These two facts lead to optimal signal-to-noise ratio for the P-H3 correlation compared to the P-H5/H5 correlation.The heteronuclear CT-COSY experiment is suitable for oligonucleotides in the 10–15 kDa molecular mass range and has been applied to the 30mer HIV-2 TAR RNA. The methodology presented here can be used to measure P-H dipolar couplings (D_PH) as well. We will present qualitative results for the measurement of P-H_base and P-H2 dipolar couplings in the HIV-2 TAR RNA and will discuss the reasons that so far precluded the quantification of the D_PHs for the 30mer RNA.     

Cytochemical studies on the localization of 5′-nucleotidase in the acinar cells of the rat salivary glands

Summary The cytochemical localization of 5-nucleotidase (5-AMPase), and its validity, were investigated in parotid and submandibular acinar cells of a rat. Biochemical determinations showed that adequate treatment with glutaraldehyde could minimize the loss of enzymatic activity, and that 5-AMPase and non-specific alkaline phosphatase (-GPase) possessed different pH optima.The cytochemical distribution of the reaction products from the 5-AMPase activity was distinct from those of -GPase. 5-AMPase activity was localized on the surface membranes of acinar, ductal and myoepithelial cells of both salivary glands. -GPase activity was evenly distributed on the entire plasma membranes of myoepithelial cells and on the basal plasmalemma of acinar cells. The reaction products, which appeared on the luminal and lateral plasma membranes of the acinar cells, were presumed to reflect the presence of 5-AMPase, while those on the myoepithelial surface and basal plasma membranes of the acinar cells demonstrated both 5-AMPase and -GPase.The results indicate that 5-AMPase activity can be utilized as a reliable marker enzyme of plasma membranes in the salivary acinar cells.