In vitro assessment of the toxicity of metal compounds

A review of in vitro mutagenesis assessment of metal compounds in mammalian and nonmammalian test systems has been compiled. Prokaryotic assays are ineffective or inconsistent in their detection of most metals as mutagens, with the notable exception of hexavalent chromium. Mammalian assay systems appear to be similarly inappropriate for the screening of metal compounds based upon the limited number of studies that have employed those compounds having known carcinogenic activity. Although of limited value as screening tests for the detection of potentially carcinogenic metal compounds, the well-characterized in vitro mutagenesis systems may prove to be of significant value as a means to elucidate mechanisms of metal genotoxicity.     

Different effects of serotonin antagonists on 3H-mianserin and 3H-ketanserin recognition sites

In minces prepared from the frontal cortex of rats treated with ketanserin (10 mg/kg i.p.) or mianserin (5 mg/kg i.p.) twice daily for 21 days, the Vmax of the adenylate cyclase stimulated by NE (100 microM) is attenuated, suggesting that ketanserin and mianserin share with a number of antidepressants the ability to attenuate the adenylate cyclase stimulation by NE. Ketanserin, given with the above mentioned dose schedule for 7 consecutive days, reduced the Bmax of 5HT2 recognition sites but failed to change either the Bmax or the apparent Kd of H-mianserin binding. A significant decrease in the Bmax of 5HT2 binding sites is elicited also by a single injection of mianserin (1). This drug also down-regulates its own binding when given twice daily for 3 weeks. From this and other information (2,3), it is concluded that ketanserin and mianserin bind to distinct recognition sites. The possibility that 5HT2 and mianserin recognition sites are functionally related and that serotonergic synapses are modulated by multiple chemical signals might be considered.     

Euclein: A new binaphthaquinone from Euclea pseudebenus

7-MethyljugIone, 8,8′-dihydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxy-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-binaphthyl-1,1′-quinone, 2-methylnaphthazarin, mamegakinone and euclein have been isolated from Euclea pseudebenus. Euclein is the 3,6′-dimer of 7-methyljuglone.     

N-Acetylsuccinimidylglutamate, a Cyclic Imide Form of the Peptide N-Acetylaspartylglutamate, Is Present in Low Micromolar Concentrations in Murine and Bovine CNS

Abstract: N -Acetylsuccinimidylglutamate [(asu)NAAG], a cyclic form of the peptide N -acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) in which the aspartyl residue is linked to glutamate via the α- and β-carboxylates, was identified and quantified by HPLC in the murine and bovine CNS. In the rat, the highest concentrations of (asu)NAAG were detected in the spinal cord (1.83 ± 0.15 pmol/mg of wet tissue weight) and brainstem (1.16 ± 0.08 pmol/mg wet weight), whereas the levels were below the limit of detection in cerebellum, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex. (Asu)NAAG was also detected in significant amounts in the superior colliculus and lateral genicutale nucleus (1.17 ± 0.05 and 0.82 ± 0.13 pmol/mg wet weight, respectively). Although the tissue content of (asu)NAAG was about three orders of magnitude lower than that of NAAG, levels of both peptides were positively correlated among different CNS regions ( r = 0.74, p < 0.003). In the rat spinal cord, (asu)NAAG levels progressively increased from week 2 to month 12 after birth. In bovine spinal cord, the contents of (asu)NAAG and NAAG were comparable in gray and white matter as well as in the dorsal and ventral horns. These results suggest that NAAG and (asu)-NAAG are closely related metabolically and raise the question of the physiological significance of such a cyclic peptide.     

Host interference with expression of the lambda N gene product

We have searched among E. coli M72 (D, bio11cI857H1) temperature resistant survivors and have found two bacterial mutants, gro100 and gro101 which block λiλ and λi⁴³⁴ phage development but allow growth of their N-independent derivatives λiλ nin and λi⁴³⁴nin. It is not known yet whether these two mutants interfere with the production of the N gene product or with its function. At least part of the gro genotype maps at 12′ of the E. coli genetic map and is co-transductible by Pl with the lac locus.     

Production of protoplasts from the fungi Curvularia inaequalis and Trichoderma reesei

Summary Protoplast formation in Curvularia inaequalis was achieved using non-commercial and commercial snail gut enzymes or Trichoderma harzianum enzymes. The cells were grown for enzyme treatment on cellophane sheets or in liquid cultures for varying periods of time. The production of T. harzianum enzymes is discussed. The highest protoplast yields were 2.6x10⁷ protoplasts/ml enzyme solution. Protoplasts were shown to have zero to four nuclei. Protoplast regeneration was succesfully carried out in semisolid agar.     

Some factors stimulating and inhibiting pancreatic deoxyribonuclease

Для выяснения роли ДН-азы в реакции трансформации исследовали действие различных сред, применяемых при трансформации пневмококков, на активность панкреатической ДН-азы. Эти виды среды резко повышали активность фермента. Далее, было установлено, что это повышение вызывается yeast-экстрактом, входящим в состав этих сред. С помщяю спектрального анализа и пламенного спектрофотометра в yeast-экстракте были обнаружены Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, K⁺ и Na⁺. Изучалось действие этих ионов на активность ДН-азы и было установлено, что в присутствии Mg²⁺ (5×10^?3 m)иCa²⁺(вконцентрации 2×10^?4 m) резко повышается активность фермента, тогда как прибавление к этой системе KCl в концентрации 2×10^?1, 2×10^?2, 2×10^?3 и 2×10^?4 m оказывает угнетающее действие.—Обсуждается возможное влияние этих ионов на peaкцию трансформации.