A simple, rapid, and sensitive procedure for the assay of endoproteases using Coomassie brilliant blue G-250

A rapid colorimetric method for the assay of proteolytic enzymes based on the binding of Coomassie brilliant blue G-250 to unhydrolyzed protein substrate is described. Considerable assay time is saved since the method does not require the separation of the hydrolyzed products from the undergraded protein substrate. The procedure is applicable to crude as well as purified preparations of various proteolytic enzymes and compares well with the procedure of M. L. Anson.     

The effect of cross-linking spectrin-actin complexes with band 4.1 on the state of polymerization of the actin

The polymerization of actin in the presence of spectrin tetramers and band 4.1 isolated from the human erythrocyte has been measured using a fluorescence energy transfer technique. The results show that the cross-linking of spectrin-actin complexes by band 4.1 results in a limited depolymerization of actin filaments and a concomitant rise in the critical actin concentration. The phenomenon may explain in part the existence of actin in the erythrocyte cytoskeleton as short oligomers rather than as long filaments.     

An immunoreactive form of erythrocyte protein 4.9 is present in non-erythroid cells

Using immunoblots and an affinity-purified antibody prepared against human erythrocyte protein 4.9, we have demonstrated and quantified the presence of an immunoreactive form of this protein in avian and bovine brain and lens tissues, avian heart, as well as in human platelets and mammalian, avian, piscine, and amphibian erythrocytes. Both the 48 kDa and the 52 kDa variants were observed in human erythrocytes, whereas 50 kDa and 54 kDa immunoreactive forms were observed in human platelets. As reported for erythroid protein 4.9, platelet protein 4.9 was phosphorylated in response to treatment with phorbol ester. Bovine brain showed five cross-reactive polypeptides in the 47 to 52 kDa range while avian brain and avian and bovine lens exhibited predominantly a 49-kDa band. Cross-reactivity was not observed in a number of cell lines and tissues including leukocytes, liver, kidney, pancreas, and skeletal muscle. Immunofluorescence indicated that protein 4.9 was present in cortical fiber cells of avian lens and in neurons of avian cerebrum.     

Effects of weak electromagnetic fields on global electrocortical activity

Effects of weak electromagnetic fields are considered on recently proposed covariant and generalized coupling models of global electrocortical activity. A method to calculate the ratio of components of signal velocities is given. First-order shift in frequencies is obtained in the presence of a weak, time-varying magnetic field.     

Activation of an adrenergic pro-drug through sequential stereoselective action of tandem target enzymes.

The synthetic amino acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (DOPS) has been of great interest for many years as an adrenergic pro-drug, since the L-threo diastereomer of DOPS can be a precursor of R-(-)-norepinephrine, the natural form of this neurotransmitter. We now report bioactivation of DOPS to the potent pharmacological agent, noradrenalone (arterenone), via sequential stereoselective action by two target enzymes--dopamine beta-monooxygenase (DBM) and L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC)--acting in tandem. Enzymatic activation is stereospecific, with only the L-erythro DOPS diastereomer producing noradrenalone; this is consistent with the known stereospecificities of AADC and DBM. These results provide a heretofore unrecognized rationale for the bioactivity of L-erythro DOPS and provide a basis for the design of new adrenergic pro-drugs.     

Influence of Various Factors on Toxicity of Culture Filtrate of a Drechslera maydis Strain from Costus speciosus

Drechslera maydis causing severe leaf blight of Costus speciosus, produced toxic matabolites in vitro. Maximum toxin was produced in modified Fries’ medium if its carbon source was substituted with glucose and nitrogen source with asparagine. Highest toxin accumulation was found at 21 days of incubation and with the initial pH 5.0. The toxin was stable in acidic condition (pH 3.5—7.0) but unstable under alkaline conditions.     

Spacetime representation of global electrocortical activity

A model for global electrocortical activity is developed by considering telencephalonic structures as mass of linked oscillators generating activity with a number of resonant modes. Equations for the signals are written in the comoving frame and then transformed into the laboratory frame. The state transition matrix is obtained in the presence of electric and magnetic fields.     

Morphological and electrophysiological examination of olfactory sensory neurons during the early developmental prolarval stage of the sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus L

This study examined olfactory sensory neuron morphology and physiological responsiveness in newly hatched sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L. These prolarvae hatch shortly after neural tube formation, and stay within nests for approximately 18 days, before moving downstream to silty areas where they burrow, feed and pass to the larval stage. To explore the possibility that the olfactory system is functioning during this prolarval stage, morphological and physiological development of olfactory sensory neurons was examined. The nasal cavity contained an olfactory epithelium with ciliated olfactory sensory neurons. Axons formed aggregates in the basal portion of the olfactory epithelium and spanned the narrow distance between the olfactory epithelium and the brain. The presence of asymmetric synapses with agranular vesicles within fibers in the brain, adjacent to the olfactory epithelium suggests that there was synaptic connectivity between olfactory sensory axons and the brain. Neural recordings from the surface of the olfactory epithelium showed responses following the application of L-arginine, taurocholic acid, petromyzonol sulfate (a lamprey migratory pheromone), and water conditioned by conspecifics. These results suggest that lampreys may respond to olfactory sensory input during the prolarval stage.     

Traditional treatment of skin diseases in Uttar Pradesh,india

The paper deals with some important medicinal plants used in human skin diseases in Uttar Pradesh, India. Fifty species of 47 genera belonging to 30 families of pteridophytes and angiosperms are reported along with dosage rate and mode of administration.