Inhibition by S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine of dopamine dependent adenylate cyclase in rat retina

S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (S-AH), a potent inhibitor of biological transmethylation, decreased the response of rat retina adenylate cyclase to dopamine and to 2-amino-6, 7-dihydroxytetrahydronaphtalene (ADTN). This effect appeared for 10^?7M of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine and was linear for concentration ranging to 10^?4M. S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine did not decrease the cyclic AMP accumulation with sodium fluoride, a non specific adenylate cyclase activator. On the other hand, the incorporation of methyl group was reduced in rat retina homogenates by S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine. These findings suggest that the activity of the dopamine dependent adenylate cyclase is linked to a methylation process.     

Injury of mitochondrial respiration and membrane potential during iron/ascorbate-induced peroxidation

First functional events during peroxidation in mitochondria consisted in a progressive inhibition of the phosphorylating and uncoupled respiration with succinate and glutamate/malate as substrates, whereas the resting state respiration during the same period was virtually not influenced. The membrane potential registered at a time with the respiration rates was capable of being built up for a relatively long time interval with only minor decreases, and broke down rather promptly when the active respiration was highly diminished. Inhibition of respiration proceeded mainly during the initiation phase of peroxidation. Lag phases of varied length, of malondialdehyde formation which were predominantly attributed to the iron/protein ratios correlated closely with different time intervals needed to attain maximal inhibition of respiration and decrease in glutathione. Hence, the lessening of respiration, drop of membrane potential and loss of the antioxidant, glutathione, represent early stages in the causal chain of events which precede the onset of intensive lipid peroxidation.     

Action of phospholipases on the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli. Stimulation by melittin

The emission maximum of the single tryptophan residue of melittin was measured in the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine liposomes and Escherichia coli cytoplasmic membranes. In both cases, the fluorescence maximum was shifted to shorter wavelengths indicating a transfer of the indole ring to an apolar environment. E. coli membranes were labelled in position 2 of their phospholipids with [¹⁴C]oleic acid. These membranes were used for measuring the activity of an endogenous phospholipase A₂. A slow hydrolysis is observed, which can be accelerated by adding melittin. The extent of the stimulation depends on the molar ratio of melittin to membrane phospholipid. Under suitable conditions, the initial rate of hydrolysis is six to seven times higher in the presence than in the absence of melittin. The action of the phospholipase A₂ from bee venom is also stimulated by melittin. An identical stimulation was observed with either E. coli membranes or pure phosphatidylethanolamine liposomes as substrate.     

Transformation of the extremely thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus via a self-spreading vector

Abstract The comparative chromosomal locations of polymeric β-fructosidase SUC genes have been determined by Southern blot hybridization with the SUC2 probe in 91 different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Most of the strains exhibited a single SUC2 gene, but in some strains two or three SUC genes were found. All Suc⁻ strains carried a silent suc2⁰ sequence. The accumulation of SUC genes was observed in populations derived from sources containing sucrose and seems to be absent in strains from sources promoting the MEL gene.     

Bioguided Fractionation and Isolation of an Antiplasmodial Saponin from the Roots of Nauclea xanthoxylon (A.Chev.) Aubrév. (Rubiaceae)

The root extract of Nauclea xanthoxylon (A.Chev.) Aubrév. displayed significant 50 % inhibition concentration (IC₅₀s) of 0.57 and 1.26 μg/mL against chloroquine resistant and sensitive Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) Dd2 and 3D7 strains, respectively. Bio-guided fractionation led to an ethyl acetate fraction with IC₅₀s of 2.68 and 1.85 μg/mL and subsequently, to the new quinovic acid saponin named xanthoxyloside ( 1 ) with IC₅₀s of 0.33 and 1.30 μM, respectively against the tested strains. Further compounds obtained from ethyl acetate and hexane fractions were the known clethric acid ( 2 ), ursolic acid ( 3 ), quafrinoic acid ( 4 ), quinovic acid ( 5 ), quinovic acid 3-O-β-D-fucopyranoside ( 6 ), oleanolic acid ( 7 ), oleanolic acid 3-acetate ( 8 ), friedelin ( 9 ), β-sitosterol ( 10a ), stigmasterol ( 10b ) and stigmasterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside ( 11 ). Their structures were characterised with the aid of comprehensive spectroscopic methods (1 and 2D NMR, Mass). Bio-assays were performed using nucleic acid gel stain (SYBR green I)-based fluorescence assay with chloroquine as reference. Extracts and compounds exhibited good selectivity indices (SIs) of >10. Significant antiplasmodial activities measured for the crude extract, the ethyl acetate fraction and xanthoxyloside ( 1 ) from that fraction can justify the use of the root of N. xanthoxylon in ethnomedicine to treat malaria.     

Diterpenes with a new carbon skeleton from Printzia Laxa

The aerial parts of the South African composite Printzia laxa contain two manoyl oxides and three clerodane derivatives together with two further acids, which belong to a new type of diterpene, biogenetically closely related to the clerodanes. The structures have been elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The constituents may indicate some relationship of Printzia to the tribe Astereae.     

Neue guajanolide aus Lasthenia-arten

The investigation of two species of Lasthenia afforded two new guaianolides and a new bisabolone derivative, in addition to already known compounds. The presence of an eremophilenic acid in these plants is remarkable. The results are discussed chemotaxonomically, since the tribal position of this genus is still debated.     

A rapid fluorometric method for the estimation of DNA in cultured cells

We present here a procedure for the rapid measurement of both DNA and protein from the same aliquot of cell lysate. DNA estimates obtained by this method were compared to replicate determinations using the method of Kissane and Robins (1). The optimal range for the estimation of DNA (1 to 20 μg) is well suited for use with portions of extracts from individual cell cultures; the remainder of the extract remains available for enzyme assays or other parallel determinations.