The Chemical Principles from the Female lnftorescences of Typha angustata

Seven crystalline compounds have been isolated from the female inflorescences of Typha angustata Bory et Chaub. They were identified as vanillic acid (Ⅰ), E-p-hydroxy- cinnamic acid (Ⅱ), Protocatechuic acid (Ⅲ), E-Pro-penoic acid-3- (4-hydroxyphenyl)- 2,3-dihydrohypropyl ester (Ⅳ), Succinic acid (Ⅴ), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (Ⅵ) and D-mannitol (Ⅶ). (Ⅳ) is a new compound. (Ⅰ), (Ⅱ), (Ⅲ) and (Ⅶ) were attained for the first time from Typhaceae.     

The presence of fatty acids in human alpha-fetoprotein.

alpha-Fetoprotein has been prepared from human fetal tissue by procedures utilizing DEAE-Sephadex, concanavalin A-Sepharose, and isoelectric focusing. A major and a minor component with isoelectric points of 4.7 and 5.3, respectively, have been isolated and are similar to those prepared under various conditions by other investigators. The 4.7 material contains 2.4 mol of fatty acids/mol of protein, whereas the minor component is fat-free. The relative amounts of fatty acid vary somewhat with different preparations. The ranges found in three isolates were as follows: palmitic acid (8 to 11%), stearic acid (2 to 5%), oleic acid (10 to 28%), linoleic acid (7 to 15%), arachidonic acid (12 to 39%), and 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (16 to 42%). Human fetal serum albumin contained 0.7 mol of fatty acid/mol of protein, with arachidonic acid and the docosahexaenoic acid comprising only 11.4% of the total. Removal of fatty acids by treatment with charcoal converted alpha-fetoprotein into material with an isoelectric point of pH 5.3. Addition of arachidonic acid to the lipid-free protein restored it to protein with a pH 4.7 isoelectric point, typical of the major native component. The possible role of the fatty acids in alpha-fetoprotein on the inhibition of various lymphocyte functions is projected.     

The quantitative estimation of bile acids and their conjugates in human biological fluids

This review attempts to provide a concise and critical summary of modern methods for the analysis of bile acids and their conjugates in human biological fluids. Most emphasis is given to more up-to-date procedures that have been applied to the study of human disease and attention is drawn to previous reviews in areas that have not been covered here. An increasing awareness of the possibility that bile acids may be involved in the etiology of a number of disorders, or that such disorders may give rise to changes in bile acid concentration, has stimulated the study of bile acid methodology. Although many procedures have been described using, for example, high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas-liquid chromatography (GLC), gas-liquid chromatography--mass spectrometry (GLC-MS), and radioimmunoassay (RIA), no simple but comprehensive procedure for the estimation of bile acids and their conjugates has yet been published. Further study in this area is still required in order to establish the role of bile acid estimations in the routine diagnosis and treatment of disease.     

The Nicotinamide Biosynthetic Pathway Is a By-Product of the RNA World

Many of the biosynthetic pathways, especially those leading to the coenzymes, must have originated very early, perhaps before enzymes were available to catalyze their synthesis. While a number of enzymatic reactions in metabolism are known to proceed nonenzymatically, there are no examples of entire metabolic sequences that can be achieved in this manner. The most primitive pathway for nicotinic acid biosynthesis is the reaction of aspartic acid with dihydroxyacetone phosphate. We report here that nicotinic acid (NAc) and its metabolic precursor, quinolinic acid (QA), are produced in yields as high as 7% in a six-step nonenzymatic sequence from aspartic acid and dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP). The biosynthesis of ribose phosphate could have produced DHAP and other three carbon compounds. Aspartic acid could have been available from prebiotic synthesis or from the ribozyme synthesis of pyrimidines. These results suggest that NAD could have originated in the RNA world and that the nonenzymatic biosynthesis of the cofactor nicotinamide could have been an inevitable consequence of life based on carbohydrates and amino acids. The enzymes of the modern pathway were later added in any order. Received: 22 May 2000 / Accepted: 7 August 2000     

The Chemical Constituents of Swertia przewalskii Pissjauk.

Seven xanthonenoid compounds and a triterpenic acid have been isolated from Swertia przewalskii Pissjauk. Their structures were identified as 1,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyxarthone(Ⅰ), 1,7-dihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyxanthone (Ⅱ), oleanolic acid (Ⅲ), l-hydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxyxanthone (Ⅳ), 1,7,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone (Ⅴ), 8-0-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(l--6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]- 1,7-dihydr0xy- 3-methoxyxanthone (Ⅵ), 1-O- [β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-7,8-dihydroxy- 3-methoxyxanthone (Ⅶ) and 1-O- [β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-8-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyanthone (Ⅷ) respectively, by means of chemical and spectral methods or comparing with the authentic samples directly.     

The complexation of transition series metal ions by nalidixic acid

The following formation constants have been determine for nalidixic acid: proton, copper(II) complexation, magnesium(II) complexation, guanosine-5′-monophosphate-copper(II) complexation. Use of these data (together with the corresponding published constants of calcium(II), iron(II), manganese(II) and zinc(II) supports the hypothesis that the drug acts at a site other than extracellular. Complex formation between nalidixic acid, metal ion and DNA (at guanosine residues) is suggested.     

植物启动子的诱导模序

启动子是位于基因 5′端并负责该基因转录的DNA序列。诱导性启动子中有一些对伤害、真菌侵染、紫外线照射、激素等做出应答反应的顺式作用元件 ,被称为模序。已在植物启动子中鉴定出许多与诱导表达相关的模序 ,如伤害诱导模序 ,真菌诱导模序 ,植物激素诱导模序和光诱导模序等。这些模序作为启动子的顺式元件对各种诱导因子做出反应、调控基因的表达。     

Synthesis and partial characterization of hydrogels obtained via glutaraldehyde crosslinking of acetylated chitosan and of hyaluronan derivatives

Hydrophilic networks based on functionalized hyaluronic acid and on partially acetylated chitosan, respectively, have been obtained. In the case of hyaluronic acid (HA), primary amino functionalities have been introduced along the polysaccharide chains. The ensuing derivatives, i.e., HA-lysine (HA-K), HA-diamino pentane (HA-DAP), and HA-glycine-lysine (HA-GK), have been characterized by high field NMR spectroscopy. NMR 2D-DOSY experiments have allowed us to optimize the purification procedure. Chitosan was made soluble in water by partial acetylation. Cross-linking reactions have been performed using glutaraldehyde. The obtained networks have been qualitatively characterized by means of (13)C CP-MAS NMR technique. The hydrogels have been characterized also in terms of water uptake.     

The Widespread Occurrence of Polyphosphate in Lower Plants

The widespread occurrence of polyphosphate (PoP) in lower plantsis described. PoP granules have been cytochemically detectedin algae, slime moulds, and mosses. A systematic survey is givenof lower plants in which the occurrence of PoP has been demonstratedwith both the present studies and previous investigations. The localization of PoP in cells has been studied. PoP granuleshave been observed to be present in the cytoplasm, the cytoplasmicvacuole, and in chloro-plasts of different algae. In Zygnemataceaeand in mosses PoP granules are localized in the chloroplastswhich also contain pentose nucleic acid. A relationship between PoP, pentose nucleic acid (PNA), andgrowth has been found and is discussed. A possible in situ synthesisof PoP in chloroplasts from phosphorylated intermediates ofthe photosynthetic process is suggested.     

The use of picolinyl esters for the characterization of microbial lipids: application to the unsaturated and cyclopropane fatty acids of campylobacter species

Picolinyl esters have been recently introduced for the mass spectrometric structure determination of unsaturated and cyclopropane fatty acids. We have used these derivatives to characterize the unsaturated and cyclopropane acids of Campylobacter species . The principle unsaturated acids were shown to be 11-octadecenoic acid, with smaller amounts of 9-hexadecenoic acid, 9-octadecenoic acid and 9, 11-octadecadienoic acid. The only cyclopropane acid present was cis 11, 12-methylene octadecanoic acid. There was no interspecific variation in the position of unsatu-ration or methylene bridges, even in the recently discovered gastric Campylobacter like organisms (GCLO) or the urease positive thermophilic Campylobacters (UPTC), the fatty acid profiles of which were consistent with their inclusion in the genus Campylobacter .     

Studies on bone enzymes. The assay of acid hydrolases and other enzymes in bone tissue.

1. Nine acid hydrolases, cytochrome oxidase, alkaline phenylphosphatase and catalase were demonstrated in 0.25m-sucrose homogenates of newborn-rat calvaria. The acid hydrolases were: acid phenylphosphatase, acid beta-glycerophosphatase, beta-glucuronidase, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (beta-N-acetylaminodeoxyglucosidase), acid ribonuclease and acid deoxyribonuclease, showing optimum activity at about pH5; cathepsin, beta-galactosidase and hyaluronidase, with optimum activity at about pH3.6. 2. The main kinetic characters of these enzymes have been studied and methods for their quantitative assay have been worked out. The activities present in bone are given and compared with those found in liver. 3. Acid-phosphatase activity was assayed with phenyl phosphate and beta-glycerophosphate as substrates: activities with these two substrates appeared to be due to two different enzymes. Acid phenylphosphatase is particularly labile and is readily inactivated by various physical or chemical agents.     

侧柏叶子与种子脂肪酸的GC-MS比较分析研究

目的:研究柏子仁与侧柏叶的脂肪酸组成.方法:用GC-MS方法对侧柏叶子与种子油进行定性鉴定和定量分析.结果:鉴定了柏子仁油中的8种脂肪酸,占脂溶性成分的93.56%;侧柏叶子油中12种脂肪酸,占脂溶性成分的93.39%.柏子仁饱和脂肪酸主要是十六烷酸(8.11%)、硬脂酸(6.08%);不饱和脂肪酸主要为亚油酸(24.59%)、亚麻酸(59.77%),占脂肪酸的83.14%.侧柏叶子饱和脂肪酸饱和脂肪酸主要为十六烷酸(14.70%)、乙酸(3.20%)、十七烷酸(2.50%);不饱和脂肪酸主要为二十二碳四烯酸(40.48%)、亚油酸(10.69%)、亚麻酸(17.62%).结论:柏子仁和侧柏叶均含有合理的脂肪酸组成.     

The influence of amino acid substitutions on the conformational energy of cytochrome c.

Conformational energies have been evaluated for each of the staggered side-chain conformations associated with the 261 amino acid substitutions known to occur among 60 eucaryotic species. At least 86% of these substitutions can be sterically accommodated (one at a time) within the structure of horse-heart cytochrome c resulting from conformational energy refinement. Simultaneous incorporation of all pertinent amino acid substitutions found in eight representative species into the refined horse-heart structure is also shown to be sterically possible, with few exceptions. In two cases (Pekin duck cytochrome with 10 substitutions and Samia cynthia cytochrome with 24 substitutions), all substitutions could be readily incorporated, and the total energies associated with their computed structures differed by less than 10 kcal/mol from that of horse-heart cytochrome c. In the cytochromes from rattlesnake (22 substitutions), tuna (18 substitutions), and Neurospora crassa (36 substitutions), tyrosine could not be substituted for phenylalanine at position 46, within the constraints of the calculations. However, when all of the remaining substitutions were incorporated into these three cytochromes, their computed conformational energies differed by less than 30 kcal/mol from that of horse-heart cytochrome c. Between two and four amino acid substitutions cause high energies in the cytochromes from human, baker's yeast, and cotton seed, but all of the remaining substitutions are consistent with a low energy conformation. These results suggest that the structures of homologous proteins may be even more similar than has previously been recognized. Substitutions of all possible amino acid types at the invariant positions (where all eucaryotic cytochromes c bear the same amino acid) have revealed some cases where different amino acids can be accommodated, thus demonstrating that the biological constraints on amino acid substitutions are often different from the purely steric constraints investigated in this work.     

The leukotrienes

This paper reviews the leukotrienes, a new group of biologically active compounds in the metabolism of eicosapolyenoic acids. The leukotrienes are acyclic eicosanoids that arise through the 5-lipoxygenase pathway from eicosatrienoic, eicosatetraenoic, and eicosapentaenoic acid. Of these eicosatetraenoic acid, arachidonic acid, is the most important source of leukotrienes. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4), a dihydroxy metabolite, has been shown to exert marked chemotactic effect in many different animal species. LTB4 probably plays a role in inflammatory responses, and has been detected in several pathologic conditions. Reaction of LTA4, another lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid, with glutathione yields peptidolipid leukotrienes, LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4; these are components of slow reacting substance (SRS and SRS-A). The peptidolipid leukotrienes are potent bronchoconstrictors and enhance mucus production in the lungs. Furthermore, they constrict coronary arteries and have a negative inotropic effect. They probably play an important role in asthma and anaphylaxis. LTB4 and the peptidolipid leukotrienes may be important in several other organs, too, e.g., the skin and the eye. They may exert effects on a variety of smooth muscles and have neuronal and immunological effects.     

Synthesis and biocidal activity of Zn(II) complexes of some 2,2'-substituted diphenylamines

Binary as well as ternary complexes of Zn(II) with diphenylamine-2,2'-dicarboxylic acid (dpdc), diphenylamine-2-amino-2'-carboxylic acid (dpac), diphenylamine-2-hydroxy-2'-carboxylic acid (dphc), diphenylamine-2-mercapto-2'-carboxylic acid (dpmc), and N-(2-pyridino) anthranilic acid (npa) have been synthesized and characterized by their elemental analysis, IR spectral data, and molar conductance measurements. Antimicrobial activity of these ligands and their respective Zn(II) complexes have been determined on gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria and on Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus nidulense, two common fungi by the serial dilution method. A considerable increase in the biocidal activity of these ligands on being coordinated with the metal ion has been reported in terms of their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values.     

咖啡酸苯乙酯衍生物抑制红细胞溶血和HL-60细胞增殖活性的构效关系研究

蜂胶中的主要成分咖啡酸苯乙酯作为重要的抗氧化剂和癌预防试剂分子,引起了人们相当的兴趣。为了研究其构效关系,作者通过酰基化反应合成了6个咖啡酸苯乙酯衍生物,即:咖啡酸苯乙酯(caffeic acid phenethyl ester,CAPE)、芥子酸苯乙酯(sinapic acid phenethyl ester,SAPE)、阿魏酸苯乙酯(ferulic acid phenethyl ester,FAPE)、4-羟基肉桂酸苯乙酯(4-hydroxycinnamicacid phenethyl ester,4-HCAPE)、3,5-二羟基肉桂酸苯乙酯(3,5-dihydroxycinnamic acidphenethyl ester,3,5-DHCAPE)和3-羟基肉桂酸苯乙酯(3-hydroxycinnamic acid phenethyl este,3-HCAPE)。以水溶性偶氮引发剂2,2'-偶氮二(2-脒基丙烷)二盐酸盐诱导的红细胞溶血为模型,研究了它们的抗氧化活性。根据实验测得的有效抑制溶血时间,其活性顺序为:CAPE≈4-HCAPE>SAPE>FAPE>3,5-DHCAPE>3-HCAPE。其活性显著...     

The PP2C-SnRK2 complex: The central regulator of an abscisic acid signaling pathway

The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA), an important bioactive compound in plants, is implicated in several essential processes such as development and the abiotic stress response. Many components have been reported to have roles in these processes. Although 2C-type protein phosphatases (PP2C) and SNF1-related protein kinases2 (SnRK2) family are known to be important signal mediators, the molecular mechanisms by which these components regulate the ABA signaling pathway have not been elucidated. Recent identification of soluble ABA receptors, PYR/PYL/RCAR, has provided a major breakthrough in understanding the signaling mechanisms of ABA and revealed the importance of PP2Cs. In addition, the physical, biochemical and physiological connections between PP2C and SnRK2 have been clearly demonstrated. Taken together, the molecular basis of the major ABA signaling pathway has been established, from perception to gene expression. In this addendum, we discuss this emerging ABA signaling pathway, which has a conventional protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation regulatory circuit and consider its physiological and functional relevance.Key words: ABA receptor, abscisic acid, PP2C, signal transduction, SnRK2, plant hormone, phosphoarylation     

The Glyxosides from Curculigo orchiodes

Seven compounds have been isolaed from the roots of Curculigo orchioides. On the basis of spectral analysis,their structures were elucidated as 2,6-dimethoxy benzoic acid (A),orcinol glucopyranoside(B),curculigine A(C),curculigoside(D),24s,3β,11α,16,24-tetrahyaroxycycloartenol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside(E),24s,3β,11a,16β,24-tetrahydroxycycloartenol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside(F) and dancosterol(G). Saponin F is a new tritepenoid compound.     

The human salivary protein complex (SPC): a large block of related genes.

We have shown that genes for at least six human parotid proteins, parotid acidic protein (Pa), proline-rich protein (Pr), double-banded protein (Db), glycoprotein (Gl), parotid middle-band protein (Pm), and parotid-size variant (Ps) are linked. We have designated this complex of genes as the salivary protein complex (SPC). Several of the genes in this complex show marked associations that are most likely the result of linkage disequilibrium. It seems likely that the SPC arose through the process of gene duplication. This hypothesis is supported by the results of our present study that demonstrate the biochemical similarity of the protein products of several SPC genes. The amino acid compositions of the major SPC proteins are compared, including several (Ps 1 and 2, and Db) that have not been published. All of these proteins are quite similar and consist to a large extent of the amino acids, proline, glycine, and gix (glutamine and/or glutamic acid).     

The purification and chemical composition of the lipopolysaccharide of Pseudomonas alcaligenes

1. A method for obtaining lipopolysaccharide free from glycosaminopeptide from isolated cell walls of Pseudomonas alcaligenes is discussed. 2. About 70-75% of the lipopolysaccharide and 86-90% of the isolated lipid A have been accounted for in terms of identifiable components. 3. Hydrolysates of lipid A contain mainly inorganic phosphate, glucosamine, O-phosphorylglucosamine and fatty acids (dodecanoic acid, dodec-2-enoic acid, 3-hydroxydecanoic acid and 3-hydroxydodecanoic acid), of which the last is the main N-acylating acid of the glucosamine backbone. 4. Material corresponding to the polysaccharide moiety of the lipopolysaccharide is extensively degraded. 5. Solubilization of the lipopolysaccharide by using sodium deoxycholate appreciably affects the chemical composition of the material.