Spectral studies of the Ca2+-dependent interaction of trifluoperazine with S100b

S100b is a calcium-binding protein that will bind to many calmodulin target molecules in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner. In order to study the Ca²⁺-dependent binding properties of S100b, its interaction with a calmodulin antagonist, trifluoperazine (TFP), was investigated using [¹⁹F]- and [¹H]-NMR and UV-difference spectroscopy. It was estimated from [¹⁹F]-NMR that in the absence of Ca²⁺, thek _1/2 value of TFP was 130 µM, while itsk _1/2 value decreased to 28 µM in the presence of Ca²⁺. The addition of KCl was not antagonistic to the Ca²⁺-dependent interaction of TFP to S100b. The chemical exchange rate of TFP with Ca²⁺-bound S100b was estimated to be 9×10² sec^?1. By comparison with TFP-calmodulin exchange rates, it is suggested that the TFP-binding site on S100b is structurally different from its binding sites on calmodulin. Proton NMR resonance broadening in the range 6.8–7.2 ppm, corresponding to phenylalanine nuclei of S100b, indicates that these residues may be involved in TFP binding. Addition of Ca²⁺ to a 1:1 mixture of S100b and TFP resulted in a red-shifted UV-difference spectrum, while no significant difference spectrum was detected when Mg²⁺ was added to a S100b-TFP solution. Thus, we suggest that Ca²⁺ induces the exposure of a hydrophobic domain on S100b containing one or more phenylalanine residues that will bind TFP but that this domain is different from the hydrophobic domain on calmodulin.     

Exercise training increases coronary transport reserve in miniature swine

Female yucatan miniature swine were trained on a treadmill (ET) or were cage confined (C) for 16-22 wk. The ET pigs had increased exercise tolerance, heart weight-to-body weight ratio, and skeletal muscle oxidative capacity. After anesthesia the left anterior descending coronary artery was cannulated and pump perfused with blood while aortic, central venous, and coronary perfusion pressures, electrocardiogram, heart rate, and coronary blood flow were monitored. Capillary permeability-surface area product (PS) for EDTA was determined with the single-injection indicator-diffusion method by use of an organ model based on the Sangren-Sheppard equations for capillary transport. Coronary blood flow (CBF) and PS were compared before and during maximal adenosine vasodilation with coronary perfusion pressures at 120 mmHg. Results indicate that there were no differences in base-line CBF or PS between C and ET groups. alpha-Receptor blockade with phentolamine and/or prazosin, before adenosine vasodilation, produced increases in PS in C pigs but had little effect in ET pigs. During maximal vasodilation with adenosine, ET pigs had greater CBF (447 +/- 24 vs. 366 +/- 27 ml.min-1.100 g-1) and greater PS (83 +/- 9 vs. 55 +/- 7 ml.min-1.100 g-1) than the C group. It is concluded that ET induces an increased coronary transport capacity in miniature swine that includes a 22% increase in blood flow capacity and a 51% increase in capillary exchange capacity.     

Exercise training depletes sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium in coronary smooth muscle.

We examined the effects of chronic exercise training on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca uptake, spontaneous SR Ca release, and whole-cell currents in coronary smooth muscle cells. Single coronary artery smooth muscle cells demonstrated increases in intracellular free Ca (Cai) during depolarization (measured with fura-2) that were abolished by diltiazem (10(-4) M). Diltiazem significantly inhibited (80%) refilling of the SR Ca store. The SR Ca store of exercise-trained pigs was 64% less after 11 min vs. 2 min of recovery, whereas cells from sedentary pigs showed no depletion. Exercise-training-induced depletion of the SR Ca store was abolished when ryanodine (10(-5) M) was applied during the recovery, but depletion was enhanced by low concentrations of ryanodine (10(-8) M). In smooth muscle from sedentary pigs, 10(-8) M ryanodine mimicked the effects of exercise training by depleting the SR Ca store during 11 min of recovery (54% depletion). When allowed a longer recovery without ryanodine (14 min or without prior depolarization), the SR Ca store in cells from exercise-trained pigs returned toward peak levels. The outward K current vs. voltage relationship did not differ in cells from exercise-trained or sedentary pigs. Exercise training reduced the number of spontaneous transient outward currents normally found in cells from sedentary pigs. We introduce a model that provides a rational basis to explain the results obtained in this study.     

α1-Adrenergic Receptor Mediates Arachidonic Acid Release in Spinal Cord Neurons Independent of Inositol Phospholipid Turnover

The alpha 1-adrenergic receptor has been shown to mediate the release of arachidonic acid in FRTL5 thyroid cells and MDCK kidney cells. In primary cultures of spinal cord cells, norepinephrine stimulated release of arachidonic acid (from neurons only) and turnover of inositol phospholipids (from neurons and glia) via alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. These two responses were dissociated by treatment with phorbol ester and pertussis toxin, which inhibited production of inositol phosphates with no appreciable effect on release of arachidonic acid. Extracellular calcium was required for release of arachidonic acid, but not for production of inositol phosphates. The calcium channel blockers nifedipine and verapamil inhibited release of arachidonic acid only. However, 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8), a compound that blocks intracellular calcium release, diminished production of inositol phosphates, but had little effect on release of arachidonic acid. These results suggest that alpha 1-adrenergic receptors couple to release of arachidonic acid in primary cultures of spinal cord cells by a mechanism independent of activation of phospholipase C, possibly via the activation of phospholipase A2.     

Catabolic plasmids of environmental and ecological significance

The environmental and ecological significance of catabolic plasmids and their host strains are discussed in the context of their potential application for environmental biotechnology. Included is a comprehensive list of naturally occurring discrete catabolic plasmids isolated from either natural habitats or selective enrichment studies. General properties, such as plasmid maintenance, stability and transfer, are discussed together with the techniques for plasmid detection and monitoring in the environment. The issues concerning the construction of catabolic strains with new or broader substrate ranges and the uses of monocultures or consortia for in situ treatment are addressed.     

Microvascular injury after ischemia and reperfusion in skeletal muscle of exercise-trained rats

Ischemia and reperfusion in skeletal muscle is associated with increases in total vascular resistance (Rt) and the microvascular permeability to plasma proteins. To determine whether exercise training can attenuate ischemia and reperfusion-induced microvascular injury in skeletal muscle, intact (with skin) and skinned, maximally vasodilated (papaverine), isolated hindquarters of control (C) and exercise-trained (ET) rats were subjected to ischemia (intact 120 min; skinned 60 min) followed by 60 min of reperfusion. ET rats ran on a motorized treadmill at 32 m/min (8% grade), 2 h/day for 12 wk, whereas the C rats were cage confined. Before ischemia, ET hindquarters had higher isogravimetric flow, lower Rt, and similar solvent drag reflection coefficients (sigma f) compared with C. During reperfusion in intact hindquarters, flow was higher (P less than 0.05) and Rt tended to be lower (15 +/- 2 vs. 25 +/- 5 mmHg.ml-1.min.100 g; P less than 0.1) in ET compared with C; however, in skinned hindquarters flow and Rt (14 +/- 2 vs. 13 +/- 2 mmHg.ml-1.min.100 g) were not different between C and ET. During reperfusion, sigma f was reduced (P less than 0.05) in both intact (C 0.68 +/- 0.03; ET 0.68 +/- 0.02) and skinned (C 0.66 +/- 0.03; ET 0.68 +/- 0.03) hindquarters, indicative of an increased microvascular permeability to plasma proteins. These results indicate that exercise training did not attenuate the microvascular injury (increased Rt and decreased sigma f) associated with ischemia and reperfusion in rat skeletal muscle.     

Lignin-Degrading Enzymes of the Commercial Button Mushroom, Agaricus bisporus

Agaricus bisporus, grown under standard composting conditions, was evaluated for its ability to produce lignin-degrading peroxidases, which have been shown to have an integral role in lignin degradation by wood-rotting fungi. The activity of manganese peroxidase was monitored throughout the production cycle of the fungus, from the time of colonization of the compost through the development of fruit bodies. Characterization of the enzyme was done with a crude compost extract. Manganese peroxidase was found to have a pI of 3.5 and a pH optimum of 5.4 to 5.5, with maximal activity during the initial stages of fruiting (pin stage). The activity declined considerably with fruit body maturation (first break). This apparent developmentally regulated pattern parallels that observed for laccase activity and for degradation of radiolabeled lignin and synthetic lignins by A. bisporus. Lignin peroxidase activity was not detected in the compost extracts. The correlation between the activities of manganese peroxidase and laccase and the degradation of lignin in A. bisporus suggests significant roles for these two enzymes in lignin degradation by this fungus.     

Genic diversity in Red River pupfish Cyprinodon rubrofluviatilis (Atheriniformes: Cyprinodontidae) and its implications for the conservation genetics of the species

Starch gel electrophoresis of proteins was used to study geographic variation at 26 gene loci in the Red River pupfish ( Cyprinodon rubrofluviatílís ), a species restricted to west Texas and Oklahoma. Marked differences were detected between populations in the Red and Brazos river drainages, with fixed or nearly fixed differences occurring at five gene loci. In addition, mean heterozygosity was uniformly high for the Red River form ( = 0·076–0·101) while samples of the Brazos River form were genetically depauperate ( =0·00–0·017). Introduced populations in the South Canadian and Colorado river drainages appear to have been derived from the Red River drainage. The presence of alleles diagnostic of the Red and Brazos river forms supports the suggestion from previous work that they may represent cryptic species. Regardless of taxonomy, however, the presence of two genetically distinct forms must be taken into consideration by those concerned with maintenance of biotic diversity.