Mass spectrometric identification of various molecular forms of dynorphin in bovine adrenal medulla

Deliberate miscompartmentalization of liver outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) proteins and liver mitochondrial proteins has been achieved by polyethylene-glycol mediated OMM vesicle-hepatocyte or mitochondrial-hepatocyte fusion. Reductively methylated OMM and mitochondrial proteins (³H) are destroyed at rates remarkably similar to those for OMM ($\text{t}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$, 60–70 h) or mitochondrial proteins ($\text{t}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$, 84–104 h) in liver $\text{in vivo}$ when studied over 4–5 days in hepatocyte monolayers cultured in conditions giving stabilized endogenous protein catabolic rates mimicking endogenous $\text{in vivo}$ rates. Destruction of transplanted OMM proteins is partially sensitive to chloroquine, supporting some lysosomally mediated autophagic destruction of long-lived transplanted OMM proteins in hepatocyte monolayers.     

Differences in aminoacylation in vivo and in vitro of lysine isoaccepting tRNAs from virus-transformed cells

When murine sarcoma virus-transformed cells are labeled with [³H]lysine $\text{in}\text{vivo}$ for various periods, 5 of 6 isoaccepting lysine tRNAs separable by RPC-5 chromatography are aminoacylated in 1 hr to the same extent that they are aminoacylated $\text{in}\text{vitro}$. The sixth isoacceptor, tRNA₆^Lys, is not aminoacylated $\text{in}\text{vivo}$ to a measurable extent in 1 hr, although it is present in the tRNA prepared from the cells. All six isoacceptors are aminoacylated with [³H]lysine $\text{in}\text{vivo}$ when the labeling period is 2 or 3 hr. These results further show that $\text{in}\text{vitro}$ correlations of the amount of tRNA₄^Lys with cell division accurately reflect the situation $\text{in}\text{vivo}$. Results of differential centrifugation indicate that tRNA₆^Lys occurs in mitochondria.     

Respiratory control and mitochondrial monovalent cation permeability of isolated liver cells

Uncoupling agent releases the respiratory control of rat hepatocytes to approximately the same degree as in isolated mitochondria indicating that mitochondria $\text{in situ}$ possess a low H⁺ conductance as $\text{in vitro}$. Mitochondria also have no detectable natural K⁺ conductance since the ionophore, valinomycin, is required for K⁺ ions to uncouple. Na⁺ but not K⁺ or choline inhibits the uncoupled respiration of liver cells. This is consistent with operation of neutral mitochondrial Na⁺ for H⁺ exchange $\text{in vivo}$. These results indicate a considerable similarity between certain functional and permeability properties of mitochondria $\text{in vitro}$ and $\text{in situ}$. These similarities form the basis for discussion of the role of mitochondrial ion transport in metabolic regulation.     

Transfer of phospholipids between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria in rat hepatocytes in vivo

The transfer of phospholipids from the endoplasmic reticulum to the inner mitochondrial membrane was investigated by pulse labeling $\text{in}\text{vivo}$. With [³H]glycerol microsomal phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine were rapidly labeled during the first 30 min; while maximum incorporation into the inner mitochondrial membrane occurred only after about 5 hours. It appears that the $\text{in}\text{vivo}$ transfer of these phospholipids between the two membrane compartments is a relatively slow process.     

In vivo chain elongation of hepatic DNA: 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl cytosine sensitive steps.

The $\text{in vivo}$ chain elongation of rat liver DNA following partial hepatectomy was studied using alkaline sucrose gradients. DNA made in 5 min was less than 4 × 10⁷ daltons and that made in 30 min was heterodisperse and by 4 hr 75% of the DNA became larger than 1 × 10⁹ daltons. Administration of 1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl cytosine (ara-C) 5 min after thymidine-³H injection inhibited the chain elongation, whereas if given 30 minutes after thymidine-³H pulse did not inhibit the chain elongation. Thus the $\text{in vivo}$ chain elongation of rat liver DNA consists of at least two steps 1) a step sensitive to ara-C involving nucleotides addition and 2) the other insensitive to ara-C and probably involving ligation of polynucleotide chains.     

Protein synthesis in mitochondrial and microsomal fractions from rat brain and liver after acute or chronic ethanol administration

Incorporation of C¹⁴ Leucine was determined $\text{in vitro}$ or $\text{in vivo}$ in isolated mitochondria and microsomes of rat brain and liver after acute or chronic ethanol administration $\text{in vivo}$.The protein synthesis in mitochondrial and microsomal preparation was inhibited respectively by chloramphenicol and cycloeximide, specific inhibitors for the two systems tested. The experimental data demonstrate that the $\text{in vitro}$ protein synthesis in both systems, mitochondrial and microsomal, is strongly affected only after chronic treatment which produces significant activation at the mitochondrial and microsomal level in the liver and an inhibition on the same systems of the brain.The data for $\text{in vivo}$ protein synthesis instead show strong inhibition after acute administration, except for brain mitochondria, which are practically unaffected, while after chronic treatment no significant alterations are observed.     

Endogenous, cyclic 3'-5' AMP-dependent phosphorylation of human red cell pyruvate kinase.

Ribosomal proteins of $\text{Physarum}\text{polycephalum}$ were labelled $\text{in}\text{vivo}$ with ³²PO₄. Three acid phosphoproteins were observed in the large subunit, while two basic ones were present in the small subunit. Ribosomal phosphoprotein S3 accounted for 70% of the total radioactivity and may be equivalent to S6 from rat liver.     

Effects of glucagon, insulin and cyclic-AMP on mitochondrial calcium uptake in the liver.

The effects of glucagon and insulin administration $\text{in vivo}$ on hepatic mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake were compared with the effects of these hormones when they were added directly to the perfused liver. Glucagon administration increased mitochondrial calcium uptake both $\text{in vivo}$ and in the perfused liver. In contrast, while injection of insulin into rats stimulated, addition of insulin to the perfusate, inhibited Ca²⁺ uptake. Cyclic AMP, when added to the perfusate, also increased the uptake of Ca²⁺ by mitochondria, subsequently isolated. The possible implications of the results are discussed.     

Differential methylation of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA in cultured mouse, hamster and virus-transformed hamster cells. In vivo and in vitro methylation

Information has been lacking as to whether mitochondrial DNA of animal cells is methylated. The methylation patterns of mitochondrial and nuclear DNAs of several mammalian cell lines have therefore been compared by four methods: (1) in vivo transfer of the methyl group from [methyl-³H]methionine; (2) in vivo incorporation of [³²P]orthophosphate and a combination of (1) and (2); (3) in vivo incorporation of [³H]deoxycytidine; (4) in vitro methylation of DNAs with ³H-labeled S-adenosylmethionine as methyl donor and DNA methylase preparations from L cell nuclei. The cell lines were mouse L cells, $\text{BHK21}\text{C13}$, $\text{C13}\text{B4}$ (baby hamster kidney cells transformed by the Bryan strain of Rouse sarcoma virus), and PyY (BHK cells transformed by polyoma virus). DNA bases were separated chromatographically, using 5-methylcytosine, 6-methylaminopurine and, in some cases, 7-methylguanine as markers.Mitochondrial DNA was found to be significantly less methylated than nuclear DNA with respect to 5-methylcytosine in all cell types studied and by all methods used. The relative advantages and disadvantages of each method have been discussed. The level of 5-methylcytosine in mitochondrial DNA as compared with that in nuclear DNA was estimated as one-fourth to one-fourteenth in various cell lines. The estimated 5-methylcytosine content per circular mitochondrial DNA molecule (mol. wt 10 × 10⁶) was about 12 methylcytosine residues for L cells and 24, 30 and 36 methylcytosine residues for BHK, B4 and PyY cells, respectively. Relative to cytosine residues, the estimate was one 5-methylcytosine per 500 cytosine residues of mitochondrial DNA and one 5-methylcytosine per 36 cytosine residues of nuclear DNA from L-cells. The values for methylcytosine of mitochondrial DNA are presumed to be maximal. PyY cells as compared with other cells had the highest methylcytosine content of both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA as estimated by method (3). No methylation of nuclear DNA was observed in confluent L cells.Evidence for the presence of DNA methylase activity associated with mitochondrial fractions was obtained. This activity could be distinguished from other cellular DNA methylase activity by differential response to mercaptoethanol. Radioactivity from ³H-labeled S-adenosylmethionine was found only in 5-methyl-cytosine of DNA.     

Maintenance of microsomal cytochromes b5 and P-450 in primary cultures of parenchymal liver cells on collagen membranes

In previous reports from various laboratories, the levels of the microsomal cytochromes b₅ and P-450 in hepatocytes in primary culture have been found to be very low and difficult to measure. The studies reported in this paper demonstrate that cytochromes b₅ and P-450 in hepatocytes cultured on floating collagen membranes for periods of at least 10 days are maintained at levels readily measured by conventional techniques and comparable to those of liver $\text{in}$$\text{vivo}$. Addition of high levels of hydrocortisone (10^?4M) to the culture medium for periods up to 10 days resulted in further increases in the levels of these cytochromes. Cells cultured in the presence of hydrocortisone exhibited the appearance of cytochrome P-448, in contrast to the cells cultured in the absence of hydrocortisone, where cytochrome P-450 was maintained.     

Binding of opiates and endogenous opioid peptides to neuroleptic receptor sites in the corpus striatum.

Some opiates with morphinan- and benzomorphan-structures possess affinities for neuroleptic receptors as revealed by their abilities to compete with ³H-spiroperidol for common binding sites in rat striatum $\text{in vitro}$ (IC₅₀ in the range between 10^?6 and 10^?5M). The binding of these opiates to neuroleptic receptors appears to be of pharmacological significance, since $\text{in vivo}$ studies in mice revealed a small but significant displacement of spiroperidol by high doses of the opiate antagonist levallorphan from specific binding sites in the striatum. In addition, there exists some correlation between the ability of opiates to bind to neuroleptic receptor sites $\text{in vitro}$ and their potency to evoke “bizarre behavior” in rats $\text{in vivo}$. In contrast, a wide variety of other opiates having morphine-, morphinone- or oripavine-structure showed no affinity for neuroleptic binding sites $\text{in vitro}$ (IC₅₀ greater than 10^?4 M). Of the opioid peptides (methionine-enkephalin, leucine-enkephalin and β-endorphin) none has an affinity for neuroleptic binding sites. A variety of other peptides were also investigated but did not interfere with spiroperidol binding. Only ACTH showed a moderate affinity for neuroleptic binding sites.     

Maturation of collagenous tissue: Specific invivo proteolytic cleavage of only α1(I) chains

A partially cleaved α1(I) chain, α1_χ, has been isolated from earlier synthesized or older (acid-extracted) guinea pig skin collagen. The α1_χ component is shown to be absent from the newly synthesized (neutral salt-extracted) collagen. This degradation is a result of specific $\text{in}\text{vivo}$ proteolytic sission of α1(I) chain since the soluble collagen has no corresponding product from the α2 chain. The $\text{in}\text{vivo}$ proteolytic cleavage is believed to result from processes related to natural physiological maturation of collagenous tissue.     

A novel type of energetics in a marine alkali-tolerant bacterium: Δμ-Na-driven motility and sodium cycle

Motility of a marine alkali-tolerant bacterium, Vibrio alginolyticus, can be observed in the presence of high concentrations of a protonophorous uncoupler, CCCP. Motility in the CCCP-containing media is completely inhibited by decrease in extracellular [Na⁺] or by monensin-induced increase in intracellular [Na⁺]. A mutant has been selected that grows only in media supplemented with a substrate such as acetate requiring no Δ$\text{μ}\text{-}$_Na to be transported into the cell. Motility of the mutant was found to be completely inhibited by CCCP. Cyanide, CCCP and vanadate added separately or in twos inhibit motility only partially. The three poisons added together completely paralyse the cells. In this inhibitor cocktail, arsenate can substitute for CCCP + vanadate; cyanide can be replaced by anaerobiosis. It is concluded that (i) Δ$\text{μ}\text{-}$_Na rather than Δ$\text{μ}\text{-}$_NH powers the flagellar motor of V. alginolyticus in the presence of CCCP, and (ii) in addition to the Na⁺-motive respiratory chain [Tokuda, H. and Unemoto, T. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 10007–10014] there is a vanadate and arsenate-sensitive oxygen-independent mechanism of Δ$\text{μ}$_Na generation, presumably an ion-motive ATPase. A suggestion is put forward that circulation of Na⁺ can replace that of H⁺ in V. alginolyticus, Δ$\text{μ}\text{-}$_Na being formed by the Na⁺-motive respiratory chain and utilized by Na⁺-solute symporters, the Na⁺-driven flagellar motor and maybe by a reverse ion-motive ATPase.     

Identification of opiate receptor binding in intact animals.

After intravenous administration of ³H-naloxone to rats, particulate bound radioactivity accumulated in the brain is selectively associated with opiate receptor binding sites, providing a means of labeling the opiate receptor $\text{in vivo}$. The regional distribution of ³H-naloxone bound $\text{in vivo}$ closely parallels regional differences in opiate receptor binding $\text{in vitro}$ with highest levels in the corpus striatum, negligible receptor-associated binding in the cerebellum and intermediate levels in other regions. ³H-Naloxone binding $\text{in vivo}$ is saturable with the same total number of binding sites determined $\text{in vivo}$ as by $\text{in vitro}$ procedures. Nalorphine is markedly more potent than morphine in inhibiting ³H-naloxone binding $\text{in vivo}$ and non-opiates are ineffective. The half-life for dissociation of ³H-naloxone bound to particles $\text{in vivo}$ is the same as its dissociation rate after binding occurs $\text{in vitro}$, and sodium stabilizes ³H-naloxone bound $\text{in vivo}$ from initial rapid dissociation as predicted from the known properties of the opiate receptor $\text{in vitro}$.     

Coordination of adenylate energy charge and phosphorylation state during ischemia and under physiological conditions in rat liver and kidney

The relation of the adenylate energy charge $\text{(}\text{ATP}\text{+}\text{1}\text{2}\text{ADP/ATP}\text{+}\text{ADP}\text{+}\text{AMP}\text{)}$ to the phosphorylation state (ATP)/(ADP)(HPO₄^2?) in rat liver and kidney was analyzed. Under physiological conditions and in ischemia, the two regulatory parameters, calculated from reported values for adenine nucleotides and inorganic phosphate (P_i) and from new observations, were closely coordinated. Energy charge was an inverse linear function of P_i and -log (1 - energy charge) was a positive linear function of log phosphorylation state. To evaluate experimental data with known energy charge, but unknown P_i, and to determine the theoretical relation between energy charge and phosphorylation state, P_i was estimated from a) the regression equation: P_i, μmol/g wet wt tissue = 1.05 - energy charge/0.073 and b) the empirical relationship: (P_i/2P_a) + energy charge = k, where P_a = σAMP + 2ADP + 3ATP and k = 1. With both estimates, the relation between phosphorylation state and energy charge for the experimental data was, within error, the same as that observed with measured P_i and concordant with theoretical values. Over the physiological range of energy charge (～0.85 – 0.95, log phosphorylation state ～3.3 – 4.3), apparent ΔG_ATP (×2) was closer to the range of ΔG observed by Wilson $\text{et al}$ (Biochem. J. $\text{140}$:57, 1974) for transfer of two electrons from mitochondrial NAD to the cytochrome c couple than the ΔG_ATP (×2) they reported, supporting their conclusion that near-equilibrium exists between the mitochondrial respiratory chain and the cytoplasmic phosphorylation state under physiological conditions. From evidence presented, it is postulated that the phosphorylation state is regulated by the adenylate energy charge.     

Effects of calcium ions and quinolinic acid on rat kidney mitochondrial kynurenine aminotransferase

At pH 6.4, rat kidney mitochondrial kynurenine aminotransferase activity is enhanced several-fold by the addition of CaCl₂, apparently because Ca⁺⁺ facilitates the translocation of α-ketoglutarate, one of the substrates, across the mitochondrial inner membrane. Chloride salts or Mg⁺⁺, Mn⁺⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and NH₄⁺ did not have this effect. At pH 6.8, the enzyme activity was near maximal even without added Ca⁺⁺ but was strongly depressed by either of two calcium chelating agents, quinolinic acid (Q.A.) and ethyleneglycol-bis(β-aminoethyl ether)N,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA). These observations support the view that Ca⁺⁺ is involved in regulating kidney mitochondrial translocation of α-ketoglutarate and that the reported interference of polycarboxylate anion translocation by Q.A. $\text{in vivo}$ depends on the ability of that agent to chelate Ca⁺⁺.     

Human serum albumin (HSA) decreases prostaglandin A1 (PGA1) metabolism.

PGA₁ was incubated with rabbit renal cortical homogenates containing HSA (0–4.5%). The ability of this tissue to readily metabolize PGA₁ progressively decreased with increasing HSA levels in the incubates The rate of disappearance of ³H-PGA₁ was twice as rapid in rats treated with salicylic acid (S. A.) in comparison to control animals; since only 30% of the injected radioactivity was bound to the plasma of the S.A. treated rats, as compared to 90% bound to control plasma, an association may exist between the degree of binding of ³H-PGA₁ and its rate of clearance. The studies indicate that PGA₁ interaction with HSA decreases its metabolism $\text{in vitro}$, and slows down its clearance $\text{in vivo}$, implicating HSA as a possible factor in prostaglandins metabolism $\text{in vivo}$.     

The effects of thyroxine and methimazole treatment on the synthesis of prostacyclin (PGI2) in the rat

The effects of thyroxine (T4) and methimazole administration on plasma prostacyclin (PGI₂) levels $\text{in vivo}$ and on PGI₂ release by aortic rings incubated $\text{in vitro}$ were investigated in rats. Male rats were given single injection of T4 (200 μg/100 g body wt) ip every 24 h for either 3, 7 or 14 days for hyperthyroid rats. For hypothyroid rats, a group of rats were given methimazole (0.01 % in drinking water) for 14 days. PGI₂ concentrations were determined in plasma and also in the medium in which aortic rings were incubated. PGI₂ was measured as 6-keto-PGF1α by RIA. Plasma PGI₂ levels in T₄-treated groups were found to be significantly higher than those of control animals. Aortic rings obtained from rats given single injection of T₄ for 7 and 14 days showed significant increases in release of PGI₂ into the incubation medium. In contrast, rats given methimazole for 14 days showed a significant decrease in the production of PGI₂ by aortic rings without any significant changes in plasma levels. Direct addition of T₄ into the incubation medium did not cause any significant changes in PGI₂ release by aortic rings obtained from control rats.These results suggest the regulatory role of thyroid hormone in PGI₂ synthesis $\text{in vivo}$.     

Functional efficiency of mitochondrial membrane of rats with hepatic chronic iron overload

The effect of $\text{in}\text{vivo}$ hepatic iron overload, induced by two different amounts of iron, on the energy-transducing efficiency of the mitochondrial membrane has been examined. It has been found that when the epatic iron concentration is up to a threshold value mitochondria present an anomalous membrane potential. Addition of oligomycin fully restitutes it. A low content of intramitochondrial K⁺ is connected with this pathological condition. A relative lack of antioxidant capability is parallely exhibited by these mitochondria. A possible involvement of lipid peroxidation process $\text{in}\text{vivo}$ in causing the membrane potential drop and the net efflux of intramitochondrial K⁺ is suggested.