Solubilization,characterization and photoaffinity labeling of the mitochondrial dihydropyridine receptor from bovine adrenal medulla

• 1.1. The mitochondrial dihydropyridine receptor was solubilized with Chaps at a detergent/ protein ratio of 2.5, during 45 min at 4°C.
• 2.2. From the rate constants of association (8.10 ± 0.25 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ min⁻¹) and dissociation (0.022 ± 0.001 min⁻¹ a K_d of 275 nM was calculated, while from saturation experiments a K_d of 270 ± 30 nM and a density of receptors of 106 ± 9 pmol/mg protein was obtained.
• 3.4. The solubilized receptors are heat-resistant, sensitive to the trypsin and to the reduction of disulfide bonds.
• 4.5. In native membranes, a polypeptide of 50 kDa was specifically photolabelled with [³H]Azidopine.

     

Effect of deltamethrin on transient outward currents in identified snail neurons

• 1.1. The effect of a pyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin was investigated on transient outward potassium currents of identified snail (Helix pomatia) neurones LPa1 and RPa3.
• 2.2. In 5 × 10⁻⁵ M concentration the deltamethrin decreased the I_A amplitude and the slope of I–V curve. The activation variable was shifted left along the voltage axis by 10–20 mV, while the inactivation variable remained unchanged.
• 3.3. Time constant of inactivation decreased, and the relaxation of I_A described by one exponential. “Modified” ionic channel fraction was not observed.
• 4.4. It is suggested that deltamethrin acts on I_A channels through a different molecular mechanism to I_Na channels, since not only the gating machinery but the permeability of the channels were influenced.

     

The dynamics of the permeation of an analogue of insect juvenile hormone into nematodes

• 1.1. ¹⁴C-dichlorofarnesoate permeated rapidly into Haemonchus contortus (infective juveniles) and Panagrellus redivivus (mixed cultures) and was strongly bound by hydrophobic association (K_s > 10⁻⁴M).
• 2.2. Uptake rose linearly with increases in temperature (5–38°C) and external concentration (C₀; 0.07–2.15 × 10⁻⁴ M). Within 1 hr the internal concentration, C₁ was >C C₀.
• 3.3. The pH of the medium (6–8) did not affect uptake.
• 4.4. Efflux of dichlorofarnesoate was low: the half-time of release was > 18 hr.
• 5.5. The uptake curve approximated to the expression C₁/C₀ = a(1 − e^−bt) with a and b as constants and t in hr.
• 6.6. These results clarify previous work on the inhibitory action of juvenile hormone on the development of nematodes.

     

The effect of triiodothyronine on glucose utilization in adipocytes from obese rats

• 1.1. In the presence of insulin, 10⁻⁵ M 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T₃) treatment for 1/2 hr decreased fatty acid synthesis 35% only in adipocytes from lean rats, whereas at 10⁻¹¹ M through 10⁻⁷M T₃ the obese adipocytes had nearly a 20% increase in fatty acid synthesis.
• 2.2. A 2 hr pretreatment of adipocytes with 10⁻⁹ and 10⁻⁷ M T₃ decreased insulin-stimulated fatty acid synthesis by nearly 20% in both lean and obese adipocytes.
• 3.3. In the absence of insulin, the 2 hr pretreatment with 10⁻⁹ M T₃ resulted in a 45% increase in lean adipocyte fatty acid synthesis, though the obese adipocytes required at least 10⁻⁷ M T₃ for 2 hr to increase the non-insulin-stimulated fatty acid synthesis by 50%.
• 4.4. At 10⁻⁹M T₃ concentrations non-insulin-stimulated fatty acid synthesis was increased by 200% in lean adipose tissue explants, but obese adipose expiants were not significantly affected under these conditions.
• 5.5. The addition of 10⁻⁹ M T₃ plus insulin to the explant media decreased fatty acid synthesis by 35% in both the lean and obese tissues.
• 6.6. The results also imply that the low T₃ status of the obese rat may be contributory to the elevated fatty acid synthesis observed in obese adipocytes.

     

Intestinal l-methionine transport in the cultured gilthead bream (Sparus aurata)

• 1.1. The influx and transepithelial movements of l-methionine and its effects on the electrophysiology and Na-Cl-transport in upper and lower intestine of the cultured fish, Spanis aurata, were measured.
• 2.2. The K_m and V_max of l-methionine influx into the tissues were higher in lower intestine than in upper intestine. A prominent diffusion-like transport component was also measured in both segments during influx experiments.
• 3.3. Net transepithelial fluxes of l-methionine (1 mM) were observed in both upper and lower intestine, this transport being Na⁺-dependent.
• 4.4. The two intestinal segments exhibited an electrical potential difference (PD) and a short circuit current (I_sc) serosa negative or near zero. Tissue conductance (G_t) was higher in posterior than in lower intestine.
• 5.5. Addition of l-methionine to the mucosal side of lower or upper intestine did not induce changes in PD in either part.
• 6.6. Isotopic fluxes of Cl⁻ or Na⁺ measurements under short circuit conditions showed that there were no net Cl⁻ or Na⁺ transport in either part.
• 7.7. l-Methionine additions to the mucosa did not induce changes in unidirectional fluxes of Cl⁻ or Na⁺ or in the (I_sc) in either the anterior or posterior intestine.

     

Comparative vitellin pattern and cladogenesis in Bacillus (insecta: Phasmatodea)

• 1.1. Under denaturing conditions (SDS-PAGE) the two natural vitellins of Bacillus taxa released five different polypeptides (A₁, A₂, A₃, B₁, B₂).
• 2.2. A₂ and B₂ bands from the two bisexual species (B. rossius and B. grandii) were found to differ; furthermore a non-vitellin yolk protein characterizes the subsepecies B.g. benazzii.
• 3.3. From gels and their densitometric scanning profiles it is clear that parental polypeptides are expressed in the thelytokous parthenogenetic hybrids (B. whitei, B. lynceorum) and in the hybridogenetic B. rossius-grandii benazzii.
• 4.4. A comparative approach of vitellin patterns appears fully adequate for tracing phylogenetic relationships and recognizing cladogenetic events.

     

Intracellular localization and characterization of 3-hydroxykynureninase in human liver

• 1.1. 3-hydroxykynureninase in human liver was present in cytosol and mitoehondria.
• 2.2. The cytosolic enzyme and mitochondrial enzyme had the same physiological and enzymic properties.
• 3.3. The enzyme had a mol. wt of 130,000 by gel filtration and isoelectric point of pH 5.9.
• 4.4. The enzyme was active for 3-hydroxykynurenine and kynurenine, and its activity ratio was 15:1. The apparent K_m values of the enzyme were 7.7 × 10⁻⁵M for 3-hydroxykynurenine, 1.0×10⁻³M for kynurenine and 2.5 × 10⁻⁶M for pyridoxal 5'-phosphate with 3-hydroxykynurenine.
• 5.5. Some other properties of purified enzymes are described.

     

Thermostability and activation by divalent cations of the membrane-bound inorganic pyrophosphatase of Rhodospirillum rubrum

• 1.1. The activation energy of the membrane bound H⁺-pyrophosphatase is 44.9 k J·mol⁻¹, for the detergent solubilized enzyme is 55.9 kJ·mol⁻¹.
• 2.2. The Arrhenius plots obtained for pyrophosphatases of Rhodospirillum rubrum show no breaks.
• 3.3. At 70°C, the membrane-bound pyrophosphatase is more stable in the presence of either Mg²⁺ or Zn²⁺ than in their absence.
• 4.4. At 65°C, an activator effect of Mg²⁺ or Zn²⁺ was observed. Nevertheless, at 70°C no activation was obtained.
• 5.5. The activator effects of Mg²⁺ or Zn²⁺ were depended of their concentration.

     

Different oxidative pathways of isonicotinic acid hydrazide and its meta-isomer,nicotinic acid hydrazide

• 1.1. Superoxide was generated during the auto-oxidation of the antituberculous drug, isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH), but not with its meta-isomer, nicotinic acid hydrazide (NH). During Fe²⁺-stimulated oxidation of INH and NH, aromatic hydroxylation occurred which was inhibited by the chelating agent, phytic acid.
• 2.2. A mixture of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and a hydrazide induced formation of compound III (oxyperoxidase) and aromatic hydroxylation which was stimulated by phytic acid. INH was considerably more potent than NH.
• 3.3. Co-oxidation of a hydrazide and thyroxine (T₄) in the MPO system resulted in the formation of a pink-coloured product (maximum absorbance at 504 nm) which was more stable with NH than with INH.
• 4.4. The hydrazides and Cl⁻ acted synergistically on MPO haem modification when co-oxidised in the MPO-H₂O₂ system. INH was more destructive than NH.
• 5.5. The different oxidative pathways of the hydrazides are consistent with the fact that an acyl intermediate of INH, unlike that of NH, is resonance stabilized.

     

Purification and properties of an ld-dipeptidase FROM Bacillus sphaericus

• 1.1. An ld-dipeptidase (EC 3.4.13.-) that hydrolyzes the unrelated dipeptides l-Ala-d-Glu (sp. act. 0.85 μmol·min⁻¹·mg⁻¹) and l-Lys-d-Ala (sp. act. 11 μmol · min⁻¹·mg⁻¹) has been purified 250-fold from the sporulation medium of Bacillus sphaericus with a 4% recovery of lytic activity.
• 2.2. Throughout the purification steps, followed with both substrates, the enzyme peaks of activities were congruent and the ratios of activities were constant. Both activities were activated 50-fold by cobalt. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the final preparation showed the two enzyme activities to be coincident. The data are consistent with those activities being due to a single enzyme.
• 3.3. Sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified enzyme showed a single protein band (M_r 38,000).
• 4.4. This dipeptidase hydrolyzes some other ld-dipeptides with a free amino and carboxyl group. Although dipeptides having a di-amino acid as the amino terminus are the best of the substrates tested, the hydrolysis occurs also when neutral amino acids are N-terminal. The activity is higher with neutral C-terminal residues such as Gly or d-Ala than with a di-acid residue such as d-Glu.
• 5.5. This enzyme may have a function in peptidoglycan metabolism.

     

The mechanism of interaction of ceruloplasmin with superoxide radicals

• 1.1. The mechanism of interaction of CP with O₂ radicals in chemical and enzymatic systems of Superoxide radical generation as well as in the pulse radiolysis technique was studied.
• 2.2. It is found that CP does not exert any kinetic influence on the decomposition of Superoxide radical and, unlike SOD, cannot catalyze the reaction of disproportionation of these radicals in systems with chemical and enzymatic generation of O₂⁻.
• 3.3. The data obtained confirm the suggestion that CP interacts with precursors of ₂⁻ radicals.
• 4.4. The irradiation of CP does not change its inhibiting activity in the reaction of the formation of Superoxide radicals in systems with enzymatic O₂⁻ generation, but decreases its oxidase activity.
• 5.5. The results obtained demonstrated that the increase in the radiation dose resulted in the decrease of the inhibiting activity of SOD, whereas the activity of CP did not change.

     

Ostrich α-amylase: Purification and characterization of the pancreatic isoenzymes

• 1.1. Four ostrich pancreatic α-amylase isoenzymes were isolated by isoelectric focusing, following affinity chromatography on cyclohepta-amylose-Sepharose 4B.
• 2.2. Amino acid compositions of the four isoenzymes are very similar with only one charged amino acid (Arg) being significantly different.
• 3.3. The molecular weights, as determined by SDS-PAGE and amino acid composition, are nearly identical (52–53 kDa) for all four isoenzymes.
• 4.4. The four α-amylase isoenzymes appear to be kinetically distinct enzymes with a requirement for calcium.
• 5.5. Ostrich α-amylase isoenzymes appear to be non-glycosylated and contain one free thiol group.

     

Comparative nuclear magnetic resonance studies of diffusional water permeability of red blood cells from different species. V—Rabbit (Oryctolagus Cuniculus)

• 1.1. The diffusional water permeability (P_d) of rabbit red blood cell (RBC) membrane has been monitored by a doping nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique on control cells and following inhibition with p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate (PCMBS).
• 2.2. The values of P_d were around 6.3 × 10⁻³ cm/sec at 15°C, 7.0 × 10⁻³cm/sec at 20°C, 8.0 × 10⁻³ cm/sec at 25°C, 9.1 × 10⁻³ cm/sec at 30°C and10.7 × 10⁻³ cm/sec at 37°C.
• 3.3. Systematic studies on the effects of PCMBS on water diffusion indicated that the maximal inhibition was reached in 15 min at 37°C with 0.5 mM PCMBS.
• 4.4. The values of maximal inhibition were around 71–74% at all temperatures.
• 5.5. The basal permeability to water was estimated as 1.6 × 10⁻³cm/sec at 15°C, 2.0 × 10⁻³cm/sec at 20°C, 2.4 × 10⁻³cm/sec at 25°C, 2.6 × 10⁻³cm/sec at 30°C, and 3.1× 10^{−3 cm/secat 37°C}.
• 6.6. The activation energy of water diffusion was around 18 kJ/mol and increased to 27 kcal/mol after incubation with PCMBS in conditions of maximal inhibition of water diffusion.
• 7.7. The membrane polypeptide electrophoretic pattern of rabbit RBCs has been compared with its human counterpart.
• 8.8. The rabbit membrane contained a higher amount of spectrin (bands 1 and 2), while the band 6 (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) was markedly less intense.
• 9.9. Considerable differences in the electrophoretic patterns of the two sources of RBC membranes appeared in the bands migrating in the band 4.5 region and in front of band 7, where some polypeptides were apparent in higher amounts in the rabbit RBC membrane.

     

Characterization of lactoferrin binding to the MAC-T bovine mammary epithelial cell line using a biotin-avidin technique

• 1.1. A non-radioisotopic method utilizing a biotin-avidin approach was used to characterize lactoferrin binding to the clonal MAC-T bovine mammary epithelial cell line.
• 2.2. Binding of lactoferrin to MAC-T cells and isolated membranes was specific and saturable.
• 3.3. Unlabeled lactoferrin competed for and displaced biotin-labeled lactoferrin from binding sites on mammary epithelial cells. In contrast, unlabeled transferrin did not compete.
• 4.4. Scatchard analysis of lactoferrin binding to MAC-T cell crude membranes was nonlinear, revealing two classes of binding sites with association constants (K_a) of 2.36 × 10⁷ and 3.36 × 10⁶M⁻¹.
• 5.5. Binding of lactoferrin to MAC-T cells may be associated with the initial events which result in decreased MAC-T cell proliferation.

     

A fluorescence study of substrate and inhibitor binding to bovine liver dihydrofolate reductase

• 1.1. Covalent coupling of fluorescein to methotrexate (MTX) by a 5-carbon spacer yields a dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitor (FMTX) with K_i = 11 nM.
• 2.2. FMTX shows a fluorescence quenching with respect to fluorescein which is relieved by binding to the enzyme.
• 3.3. The dissociation constants (K_d) of MTX, FMTX, NADPH and 7,8-dihydrofolate (DHF) from bovine liver DHFR have been determined by fluorometric titrations.
• 4.4. The K_d values for NADPH, MTX and FMTX from the complementary binary complexes (MTX·DHFR, FMTX·DHFR and NADPH·DHFR) were also obtained; these show a 2- to 4-fold decrease with respect to those obtained by titration of the free enzyme.
• 5.5. A competitive assay for MTX has been developed by exploiting the fluorescence enhancement of DHFR-bound FMTX. This assay may be useful for the routine determination of MTX in the concentration range from 10⁻⁹ to 10⁻⁷ M.

     

Proteolytic cleavage of band 3 protein in relation to anion transport in fish (Oncorhynchus mykiss) red blood cells

• 1.1. The effects of trypsin and chymotrypsin on HCO₃⁻/Cl⁻ exchange through red blood cell membranes of humans and trout were studied.
• 2.2. To measure the anion exchange we used a right-angle light-scattering technique by applying the Jacobs-Stewart cycle in ammonium solution and the osmotiration method at constant cell volume.
• 3.3. The Cl⁻ flux in human red blood cells remained unaltered after treatment with external trypsin and chymotrypsin while in trout red blood cells the flux decreased.
• 4.4. This partial inhibition of anion transport in fish, ranging from 30 to 40%,suggest that one or several of the cleavage sites in band 3 protein, essential for anion transport function, are exposed in fish red blood cells.
• 5.5. In human red blood cells the fragments of band 3 which are affected by proteolytic digestion, retain their tertiary structure because there is no influence on anion transport.

     

Aluminium and calcium affect the perivitelline fluid in fish eggs

• 1.1. Microelectrodes have been used to measure K⁺ activities and electrical potential differences between the perivitelline fluid (pvf) of the eggs of pike (Esox lucius) and surrounding water in a range of pH, calcium and aluminium concentrations.
• 2.2. Potential differences between pvf and water are decreased by Ca²⁺ (10⁻³ M) while Al³⁺ (18 × 10⁻⁶ M) reverses the polarity of the potential difference.
• 3.3. K⁺ activities in the pvf of eggs in 10⁻⁴M KCl + 10⁻⁵M NaCl are decreased by Ca²⁺(10⁻³ M).
• 4.4. The results are discussed with reference to ion-exchange theory and chorion permeability.

     

Sea water drinking as a homeostatic response to dehydration in hatchling loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta

• 1.1. Hatching Caretta caretta may lose up to 12% of their initial hatched weight from water loss during emergence from the nest.
• 2.2. After subsequent osmotic and excretory water loss in sea water, hatchlings will drink sea water (166 μl 100 g⁻¹ hr⁻¹) and return to their initial weight within 10–15 days, without feeding.
• 3.3. There were no significant changes in plasma osmolarity or sodium levels over this period.
• 4.4. This osmoregulatory strategy is in marked contrast to that seen in the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus.

     

The oxygen consumption rates of three gastrotrichs

• 1.1. The oxygen consumption rates for three sympatric species of marine gastrotrichs (anatomically similar, except that one contains hemoglobin) were measured with a Cartesian diver microrespirometer.
• 2.2. The rates for the two species without hemoglobin, Turbanella ocellata and Dolichodasys carolinensis, were 307.2 μl O₂ g⁻¹ hr⁻¹ and 108.0 μl O₂ g⁻¹ hr⁻¹, respectively, while the rate for the hemoglobin-containing species, Neodasys, was 208.9 μl O₂ g⁻¹ hr⁻¹.
• 3.3. The possession of hemoglobin by Neodasys (14% by volume) cannot be explained by an unusually high demand for oxygen.
• 4.4. Instead, the hemoglobin may be useful as an oxygen store providing continued aerobic metabolism in anoxic conditions, thus allowing Neodasys to exploit a different niche.

     

Sodium transport in red blood cells of lamprey LAmpetra fluviatilis

• 1.1. Unidirectional Na⁺ influx in lamprey red blood cells was determined using ²²Na as a tracer.
• 2.2. Total Na⁺ uptake and amiloride-inhibitable Na⁺ influx increased in a saturable fashion as a function of external Na⁺ concentration (Na_e).
• 3.3. At 141 mM Na_e, the average value of net Na⁺ influx was 13 ± 1.1 and the amiloride-sensitive Na⁺ influx was 5.3±1.1 mmol/l cells per hr (±SE).
• 4.4. The amiloride-sensitive component of Na⁺ influx was significantly activated by 10⁻⁵ M isoproterenol, by 2 × 10⁻⁵ M DNP, and by cell shrinkage.
• 5.5. Furosemide (1 mM) had no effect on the Na⁺ transport in red cells.
• 6.6. The residual amiloride-insensitive component of Na⁺ transport was a linear function of Na_e in the range of 5–141 mM. This transport seems to be accounted for by simple diffusion.