Monoclonal antibodies to p-coumarate

p-Coumaric acid is one of the predominant phenolic acids acylating the cell walls of grasses; p-coumarates are mainly esterified by lignins and arabinoxylans. Here we describe the production and characterisation of two monoclonal antibodies against p-coumarates.The 5-O-pCou-Ara(1 → 4)Xyl was chemically synthesized and conjugated to a carrier protein. Two interesting antibodies were obtained, hereinafter named INRA-COU1 and INRA-COU2. The specificity of these monoclonal antibodies has been evaluated using competitive-inhibition assays with different oligosaccharides and phenolic compounds. INRA-COU1, recognized free p-coumaric acid or p-coumarate esters. INRA-COU1 did not react with any of the other hydroxycinnamic acids and related compounds found in plants. INRA-COU2, only recognizes esterified p-coumarate. These antibodies were used to study the localization of p-coumarates in the cell walls of grasses. Immunocytochemical analyses indicated noticeable amounts of p-coumarate in the cell walls of the aleurone layer of wheat grain, in the epiderm of cereal straw, and in the exoderm of wheat root.The use of these antibodies will contribute to a better understanding of the organisation and developmental dynamics of cell walls in Graminaceae.     

p14ARF对人黑色素瘤细胞增殖的影响及其作用机理的初探

ARF(alternative reading frame)作为INK4a/ARF的β转录产物,能够稳定p53, 诱导细胞周期阻断或凋亡.利用高表达p14^ARF的人黑色素瘤细胞模型,探讨了ARF抑制细胞增殖的分子作用机理.研究发现p14^ARF高表达能将细胞周期阻断在G1和G2期, p53, p21^cip1和p27^kip1蛋白水平明显增强, 而p-ERK1/2,CyclinD1和CyclinE蛋白水平下降, 明显抑制细胞生长. 提示p14^ARF能通过ERK(extracellular signal-regulated kinase)信号通路相互协调作用抑制A375细胞增殖.     

Production of Gastrodin Through Biotransformation of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde Using Cell Suspension Cultures of Datura tatula L.

The conversion of exogenous p-hydroxybenzaldehyde into p-hydroxy-methyl-phenol-β-D-glucoside (gastrodin) was studied using cell suspension cultures of Datura tatula L. The chemical structure of the synthesized gastrodin was identified on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical evidence. The procedure of conversion of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde into gastrodin by D. tatula L. cell suspension cultures was established. The synthesized gastrodin (II) was isolated from the ferment liquor and identified by spectral analysis. Simultaneously, the p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (I) that was converted through biotransformation of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde by cell suspension cultures of D. tatula L. was also isolated and identified. The efficiency of glucosylation of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde was remarkably enhanced by the addition of salicylic acid (0.1 mg/L) and the maintenance of low pressure (0.001 MPa) in a 25-L airlift loop bioreactor. The biotransformation of exogenous p-hydroxybenzaldehyde to gastrodin using cell suspension cultures of D. tatula L. is a promising approach.     

Interactions of D-cellobiose with p-toluenesulfonic acid in aqueous solution: a C NMR study

The effects of adding D₂SO₄, and p-toluenesulfonic acid-d to D-cellobiose dissolved in D₂O were investigated at 23 °C by plotting ¹³C NMR chemical shift changes (Δδ) against the acid to D-cellobiose molar ratio. ¹³C Chemical shifts of all 18 carbon signals from α and β anomers of D-cellobiose showed gradual decreases due to increasing acidity in aqueous D₂SO₄ medium. The C-1 of the α anomer showed a slightly higher response to increasing D⁺ concentration in the surrounding. In the aqueous p-toluenesulfonic acid-d medium, C-6′ and C-4′ carbons of both α, and β anomeric forms of D-cellobiose are significantly affected by increasing the sulfonic acid concentrations, and this may be due to a 1:1 interaction of p-toluenesulfonic acid-d with the C-6′, C-4′ region of the cellobiose molecule.     

Biodegradation of p-nitrophenol by methyl parathion-degrading Ochrobactrum sp. B2

Ochrobactrum sp. B2, a methyl parathion-degrading bacterium, was proved to be capable of using p-nitrophenol (PNP) as carbon and energy source. The effect of factors, such as temperature, pH value, and nutrition, on the growth of Ochrobactrum sp. B2 and its ability to degrade p-nitrophenol (PNP) at a higher concentration (100 mg l⁻¹) was investigated in this study.The greatest growth of B2 was observed at a temperature of 30 °C and alkaline pH (pH 9–10). pH condition was proved to be a crucial factor affecting PNP degradation. Enhanced growth of B2 or PNP degradation was consistent with the increase of pH in the minimal medium, and acidic pH (6.0) did not support PNP degradation. Addition of glucose (0.05%, 0.1%) decreased the rate of PNP degradation even if increased cell growth occurred. Addition of supplemental inorganic nitrogen (ammonium chloride or ammonium sulphate) inhibited PNP degradation, whereas organic nitrogen (peptone, yeast extract, urea) accelerated degradation.     

In vitro dose dependent inverse effect of nantenine on synaptosomal membrane K-p-NPPase activity

The effect of nantenine, an aporphine alkaloid, on ATPase K+-dependent dephosphorylation was evaluated using p-nitrophenylphosphate (p-NPP) as substrate. Basal K+-p-NPPase activity was significantly increased with 3 x 10(-4) M, remained unchanged with 3 x 10(-6) M, 3 x 10(-5) M but was reduced with 7.5 x 10(-4) M and 1 x 10(-3) M nantenine, whereas Mg2+-p-NPPase activity was not modified. Kinetic studies showed that K+-p-NPPase inhibition by nantenine is competitive to KCl but non-competitive to substrate p-NPP, whereas K+-p-NPPase stimulation by nantenine is non-competitive to KCl but competitive to p-NPP. These data suggest that there may be two acceptor sites for nantenine in p-NPPase, one eliciting stimulation and the other inhibition of K+-dependent p-NPP hydrolysis. Considering the biphasic action of nantenine on seizures and the correlation between decreased ATPase activity and seizure development, alkaloid anticonvulsant effect observed at low nantenine doses is attributable to the stimulation of phosphatase activity whereas the convulsant effect at high alkaloid doses seems related to Na+, K+-ATPase inhibition.     

Application of the high-performance liquid chromatographic method for separation, purification and characterisation of p-bromophenylacetylurea and its metabolites

This study presents a HPLC method for the separation and purification of p-bromophenylacetylurea (BPAU) and its metabolites. The method effectively separated and purified BPAU and its metabolites. Three metabolites of BPAU, M1, M2 and M3 were characterised by mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. They are named as N′-hydroxy-p-bromophenylacetylurea, 4-(4-bromophenyl)-3-oxapyrrolidine-2,5-dione and N′-methyl-p-bromophenylacetylurea, respectively. The major metabolic pathways of BPAU were proposed. The establishment of the HPLC method and characterisation of BPAU metabolites make it possible for further pharmacokinetic studies to explore the mechanism of BPAU-induced delayed neuropathy.     

(Na + K)-ATPase activity of crude homogenates of rat skeletal muscle as estimated from their K-dependent 3-O-methylfluorescein phosphatase activity

A highly sensitive fluorimetric assay using 3-O-methylfluorescein phosphate as substrate was used in the determination of K⁺-dependent phosphatase activity in preparations of rat skeletal muscle. The gastrocnemius muscle was chosen because of mixed fibre composition. Crude, detergent treated homogenate was used so as to avoid loss of activity during purification. K⁺-dependent phosphatase activities in the range 0.19–0.37 μmol · (g wet weight)⁻¹ · min⁻¹ were obtained, the value decreasing with age and K⁺-deficiency. Complete inhibition of the K⁺-dependent phosphatase was obtained with 10⁻³ M ouabain. Using a KSCN-extracted muscle enzyme the intimate relation between K⁺-dependent phosphatase activity and (Na⁺ + K⁺)-activated ATP hydrolysis could be demonstrated. A molecular activity of 620 min⁻¹ was estimated from simultaneous determination of K⁺-dependent phosphatase activity and [³H]ouabain binding capacity using the partially purified enzyme preparation. The corresponding enzyme concentration in the crude homogenates was calculated and corresponded well with the number of [³H]ouabain binding sites measured in intact muscles or biopsies hereof.     

Fluorescent labeling of (Na + K)-ATPase by 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein

5-Iodoacetamidofluorescein (5-IAF) covalently labels dog kidney (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase with approximately 2 moles incorporated per mole of enzyme. ATPase and K⁺-phosphatase activities are fully retained after reaction, and the kinetic parameters for Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, ATP and p-nitrophenyl phosphate are likewise not significantly affected. The fluorescence of the bound 5-IAF is increased by ATP, Na⁺, and Mg²⁺, and decreased by K⁺. These fluorescence changes likely reflect ligand-induced stabilization of the E₁ or E₂ states of the enzyme.     

The phospholipid requirement of the (Ca + Mg)-ATPase from human platelets

The phospholipid requirement of the (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase present in a membrane fraction from human platelets was studied using various purified phospholipases. Only those phospholipases, which hydrolyse the negatively charged phospholipids, inhibited the (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity. The ATPase activity could be restored by adding mixed micelles of Triton X-100 and phosphatidylserine or phosphatidylinositol. Micelles with phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine or sphingomyelin could not be used for reconstitution and inhibited the activity of the native enzyme.     

Immunoreactivity of subunits of the (Na + K)-ATPase Cross-reactivity of the α,α+ and β forms in different organs and species

The immunologic cross-reactivity of the α and α+ forms of the large subunit and the β subunit of the (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase from brain and kidney preparations was examined using rabbit antiserum prepared against the purified holo lamb kidney enzyme. As previously reported by Sweadner ((1979) J. Biol. Chem. 254, 6060–6067) phosphorylation of the large subunit of the (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase in the presence of Na⁺, Mg²⁺, and [γ-³²P]ATP revealed that dog and, very likely, rat brain contain two forms of the large subunit (designated α and α+) while dog, rat, and lamb kidney contain only one form (α). The cross-reactivity of the α and α+ forms in these preparations was investigated by resolving the subunits by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The separated polypeptides were transferred to unmodified nitrocellulose paper, and reacted with rabbit anti-lamb kidney serum, followed by detection of the antigen-antibody complex with ¹²⁵I-labeled protein A and autoradiography. By this method, the α and α+ forms of rat and dog brain, as well as the α form found in kidney, were shown to cross-react. In addition, membranes from human cerebral cortex were shown to contain two immunoreactive bands corresponding to the α and α+ forms of dog brain. In contrast, the brain of the insect Manduca sexta contains only one immunoreactive polypeptide with a molecular weight intermediate to the α and α+ forms of dog brain. The β subunit from lamb, dog and rat kidney and from dog and rat brain cross-reacts with anti-lamb kidney (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase serum. The mobility of the β subunit from dog and rat brain on SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis gels is greater than the mobility of the β subunit from lamb, rat or dog kidney.     

High-performance liquid chromatography of the renal blood flow marker p-aminohippuric acid (PAH) and its metabolite N-acetyl PAH improves PAH clearance measurements

PAH (N-(4-aminobenzoyl)glycin) clearance measurements have been used for 50 years in clinical research for the determination of renal plasma flow. The quantitation of PAH in plasma or urine is generally performed by colorimetric method after diazotation reaction but the measurements must be corrected for the unspecific residual response observed in blank plasma. We have developed a HPLC method to specifically determine PAH and its metabolite NAc-PAH using a gradient elution ion-pair reversed-phase chromatography with UV detection at 273 and 265 nm, respectively. The separations were performed at room temperature on a ChromCart^® (125 mm×4 mm I.D.) Nucleosil 100-5 μm C₁₈ AB cartridge column, using a gradient elution of MeOH–buffer pH 3.9 1:99→15:85 over 15 min. The pH 3.9 buffered aqueous solution consisted in a mixture of 375 ml sodium citrate–citric acid solution (21.01 g citric acid and 8.0 g NaOH per liter), added up with 2.7 ml H₃PO₄ 85%, 1.0 g of sodium heptanesulfonate and completed ad 1000 ml with ultrapure water. The N-acetyltransferase activity does not seem to notably affect PAH clearances, although NAc-PAH represents 10.2±2.7% of PAH excreted unchanged in 12 healthy subjects. The performance of the HPLC and the colorimetric method have been compared using urine and plasma samples collected from healthy volunteers. Good correlations (r=0.94 and 0.97, for plasma and urine, respectively) are found between the results obtained with both techniques. However, the colorimetric method gives higher concentrations of PAH in urine and lower concentrations in plasma than those determined by HPLC. Hence, both renal (Cl_R) and systemic (Cl_S) clearances are systematically higher (35.1 and 17.8%, respectively) with the colorimetric method. The fraction of PAH excreted by the kidney Cl_R/Cl_S calculated from HPLC data (n=143) is, as expected, always <1 (mean=0.73±0.11), whereas the colorimetric method gives a mean extraction ratio of 0.87±0.13 implying some unphysiological values (>1). In conclusion, HPLC not only enables the simultaneous quantitation of PAH and NAc-PAH, but may also provide more accurate and precise PAH clearance measurements.     

Fractionation of protein components of plasma membranes from the electric organ of Torpedo marmorata

A procedure has been developed for the separation of intrinsic proteins of plasma membranes from the electric organ of Torpedo marmorata. (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and acetylcholinesterase remained active after solubilization with the nonionic detergent dodecyl octaethylene glycol monoether (C₁₂E₈). These components could be separated by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-25. Fractions enriched in ouabain-sensitive K⁺-phosphatase or (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase activity showed two bands in sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis corresponding to the α- and β-subunits. The (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase was shown to have immunological determinants in common with a 93 kDa polypeptide which copurified with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, also after solubilization in Triton X-100 and chromatography on Naja naja siamensis α-toxin-Sepharose columns. The data suggest that the α-subunit of (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase associates with the acetylcholine receptor in the membranes of the electric organ.     

Cyanidin 3-[6-(p-coumaroyl)-2-(xylosyl)-glucoside]-5-glucoside and other anthocyanins from fruits of sambucus canadensis

From the fruits of Sambucus canadensis four anthocyanin glycosides have been isolated by successive application of an ion-exchange resin, droplet-counter chromatography and gel filtration. The structure of the novel, major (69.8%) pigment, cyanidin 3-O-[6-O-(E-p-coumaroyl-2-O-(β- -xylopyranosyl)-β- -glucopyranoside]-5-O-β- -glucopyranoside, was determined by means of chemical degradation, chromatography and spectroscopy, especially homo- and heteronuclear two-dimensional NMR techniques. The other anthocyanins were identified as cyanidin 3-sambubioside-5-glucoside (22.7%), cyanidin 3-sambubioside (2.3 %) and cyanidin 3-glucoside (2.1 %).     

p-香豆酸对西洋参的化感作用及生理机制

西洋参(Panax quinquefolium L.)栽培中存在严重的连作障碍现象,前期发现p-香豆酸在以滤纸片为基质的条件下,能够显著抑制西洋参胚根的生长。为了明确p-香豆酸在土壤基质中对种胚的化感活性以及对成株西洋参生长的作用及生理机制,以自然土壤为基质,观察p-香豆酸作用后种胚的生长情况;采用室内水培试验,观察p-香豆酸作用下2年生西洋参种根从出苗至结果期的生长及部分生理指标的变化。种胚生长实验在土壤中分别添加0.0024、0.012、0.06、0.3、1.5、7.5 mg/g的p-香豆酸,处理7 d后测定西洋参种胚的胚根长和胚芽长。水培试验中全营养液中分别添加0.012 mg/mL、0.06 mg/mL、0.3 mg/mL p-香豆酸,处理后每隔5 d测定植株叶片展开情况、株高、冠幅等生长指标;于展叶期(10 d)、现蕾期(20 d)、结果期(30 d)测定地上部分及新生须根的生物量,同时测定新生须根苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活力;叶片完全展开后测定植株净光合速率(Pn)、表观电子传递速率(ETR)和最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)等光合特性参数。结果表明,土壤中添加0.0024-7.5 mg/g p-香豆酸西洋参胚根长度降低28.52%-100%,胚芽长度降低1.09%-100%,并呈现一定的剂量抑制效应。实验浓度内的p-香豆酸可显著抑制西洋参植株地上部分生长,推迟展叶期;结果期地上部生物量比对照降低17.17%-54.55%(P < 0.05,Dunnett-t test);同时,叶片的Pn、ETR受到抑制(P < 0.05),但Fv/Fm不变;对须根的影响主要表现为0.06 mg/mL p-香豆酸处理组在展叶期PAL酶活力提高69.05%,之后PAL活力和生物量均比对照下降,浓度增加至0.3 mg/mL时整个培养期内PAL酶活力和生物量均低于对照。由此推论,根系环境中的p-香豆酸在自然土壤中对西洋参种胚具有显著抑制其生长的化感作用;对成株西洋参的作用主要为抑制地上部分生长,并通过降低成株西洋参叶片光合能力,从而表现出明显的化感作用,0.06 mg/mL p-香豆酸诱导须根PAL酶活力先升高再降低并最终降低生物量的结果也表明p-香豆酸是西洋参根系生长的胁迫因素。结果证实p-香豆酸对西洋参种胚和成株的生长均具有自毒作用,其抑制生长的生理机制在于抑制叶片的光合作用。     

Studies on (Na + K)-activated ATPase XLIX. Content and role of cholesterol and other neutral lipids in highly purified rabbit kidney enzyme preparation

(1) The neutral lipids and the free and bound fatty acids of a highly purified (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase preparation from rabbit kidney outer medulla have been analysed. (2) On a dry weight basis, the total lipid content is nearly the same as the total protein content, and consists for 66% of phospholipids and for 34% of neutral lipids and free fatty acids. In the latter category cholesterol is the main component (71%). (3) On a molar basis the enzyme preparation contains 382 mol phospholipids, 67 mol free fatty acids, 9, 16 and 12 mol mono-, di- and triacylglycerols, 249 and 19 mol free and esterified cholesterol per mol enzyme. (4) The fatty acid composition of each lipid and of the free fatty acid fraction, present in the enzyme preparation, is reported. (5) All cholesterol and part of the phospholipids can be removed by hexane extraction, leaving 66% of the (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase activity. Oxidation of all cholesterol to cholest-4-en-3-one by cholesterol oxidase leaves 85% of the (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase activity. These results indicate that cholesterol is not essential for (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase activity.     

Comparison of the mutations induced by p-benzoquinone, a benzene metabolite, in human and mouse cells

Benzene is one of the chemicals widely contaminating the environment. Benzene is suggested to be a human leukemogen. When benzene is absorbed in the human body, it is metabolized firstly in the liver and subsequently in the bone marrow where it provokes initiation of leukemia. In the present study, we analyzed mutations induced by p-benzoquinone (p-BQ), a benzene metabolite, in human cells using a shuttle vector plasmid pMY189, and compared frequencies, types and spectra of the mutations with those of the mutations previously revealed in mouse cells using a similar plasmid pNY200. We found that p-BQ induces mutations in human and mouse cells at similar frequencies but with different types of mutagenesis. The proportion of tandem base mutations was significantly lower in human cells than in mouse cells. Most base substitutions were induced in G:C base pairs in both human and mouse cells. However, the proportion of G:C→C :G transversion is significantly higher in human cells. These findings indicate that the p-BQ-induced DNA damage in human and mouse cells is processed in a different manner, and that extrapolation of mice findings on experimental benzene carcinogenesis to human cancer risk assessment should be conducted carefully.     

Annular and non-annular binding sites on the (Ca + Mg)-ATPase

Quenching of the fluorescence of the (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase purified from muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum can be used to measure relative binding constants of hydrophobic compounds to the phospholipid-protein interface. We show that the binding constant for cholesterol is considerably less than that for phosphatidylcholine, so that cholesterol is effectively excluded from the phospholipid annulus around the ATPase. However, dibromocholestan-3β-ol causes quenching of the fluorescence of the ATPase, and so has access to other, non-annular sites. We suggest that these non-annular sites could be at protein/protein interfaces in ATPase oligomers. Oleic acid can bind at the phospholipid/protein interface, although its binding constant is less than that for a phosphatidylcholine, and it can also bind at the postulated non-annular sites. The effects of these compounds on the activity of the ATPase depend on the structure of the phospholipid present in the systems.     

Determination of p-trifluoromethylphenol, a metabolite of fluoxetine, in tissues and body fluids using an electron-capture gas chromatographic procedure

An electron-capture gas chromatographic procedure was developed for the analysis of p-trifluoromethylphenol, an O-dealkylated metabolite of fluoxetine, in biological samples. A basic extraction of the biological sample was employed, followed by derivatization with pentafluorobenzenesulfonyl chloride. The internal standard, 2,4-dichlorophenol, was added to all samples used in the procedure to aid in quantitation. The practical limit of detection (signal-to-noise ratio>3) for p-trifluoromethylphenol was <5 ng/ml in human plasma samples, <10 ng/g of rat brain tissue, <25 ng/g of rat liver tissue and <25 ng/ml in human and rat urine samples. In the rat, the levels of free p-trifluoromethylphenol in the liver were 10-fold higher than those in the brain, and a substantial amount was excreted in the urine. Human urine samples contained levels of free p-trifluoromethylphenol approximately 30-fold higher than those found in human plasma samples. The procedure described is useful for the detection and quantitation of free p-trifluoromethylphenol in humans and rats treated with fluoxetine.     

Kinetics of K+-p-Nitrophenyl Phosphatase Stimulation by a Brain Soluble Fraction

We have already described the separation of two brain soluble fractions by Sephadex G-50, one of which stimulates (peak I) and the other inhibits (peak II) Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and K⁺-p-nitrophenylphosphatase (K⁺-p-NPPase) activities. Here we examine the features of synaptosomal membrane p-NPPase activity in the presence and absence of brain peak I. It was observed that stimulation of Mg²⁺, K⁺-p-NPPase activity by peak I was concentration dependent, The ability of peak I to stimulate p-NPPase activity was lost by heat treatment followed by brief centrifugation. Pure serum albumin also stimulated enzyme activity. K⁺-p-NPPase stimulation by peak I proved dependent on K⁺ concentration but independent of Mg²⁺ and substrate p-nitrophenylphosphate concentrations. Since our determinations were performed in a non-phosphorylating condition reflecting the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase Na⁺ site, it is suggested that peak I may stimulate the Na⁺-dependent enzyme phosphorylation known to take place from the internal cytoplasmic side.