Vanadium compounds

The direct effect of different vanadium compounds upon alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was investigated. Vanadate and vanadyl inhibited both the soluble and particulate ALP activity from UMR.106 cells and from bovine intestinal ALP. We have also shown the inhibition of ALP activity in the soluble fraction of osteoblasts by peroxo and hydroperoxo vanadium compounds. ALP activity in the particulate fraction was not inhibited by these species; nor was the bovine intestinal ALP. Using inhibitors of Tyr-phosphatase (PTPases), the soluble ALP was partially characterized as a PTPase. The major activity in the particulate fraction represents the bone-specific ALP-activity. This study demonstrates that different forms of vanadium are direct inhibitors of ALP activity. This effect is dependent on the enzymatic activity investigated and on the origin of the ALP.     

Larval development of three blenniid species Aidablennius sphynx, Coryphoblennius galerita and Lipophrys canevai (Pisces: Blenniidae: Blenniini) in the western Mediterranean

The early stages of development of three blenniid species, Aidablennius sphynx (6.7–15.8 mm BL), Coryphoblennius galerita (4.3–13.9mm BL), and Lipophrys canevai (3.5–10.4 mm BL) are described from specimens collected in the western Mediterranean. The characteristics used for identification included meristic, developmental, morphological and pigmentation characters. Distinguishing characters of these species useful in differentiating them from other species of blenniids for which early stages are known in the Mediterranean are presented. Information on the occurrence of larvae and juveniles of these species off the Catalan coast (north-western Mediterranean) is also given.     

Cold-induced Chromosome Regions and Karyosystematics in Sambucus and Viburnum

The genera Viburnum, Sambucus and Lonicera have been investigated for chromosome number and karyomorphology including Giemsa-C-banding, fluorochrome (DAPI/CMA) banding and cold treatment. Cold-induced undercontracted chromosome regions (CIRs) are found in Viburnum and Sambucus for the first time and are apparently identical with larger hc regions, shown by Giemsa C-banding. Certain narrow C-bands are not cold-sensitive. CIRs frequently react brightly CMA-positive in Viburnum and Sambucus, while DAPI fluorescence is virtually ineffective. The occurrence of CIRs within plants is possibly linked to certain nuclear characters such as large chromosomes and continuous condensation behaviour. Cold-induction has possibly also some influence on euchromatin condensation characteristics in prophasic chromosomes. Several karyological characters point to a closer relationship between Viburnum, Sambucus and Adoxa: Relatively large chromosomes, continuous condensation behaviour, reticulate to semireticulate interphase nuclei and presence of CIRs. These genera appear isolated from Lonicera and the Caprifoliaceae s.str., which differ remarkably in karyomorphology.     

Production of hydrogen peroxide by Lactobacillus hilgardii and its effect on Leuconostoc oenos growth

In mixed culture of Lactobacillus hilgardii X₁B and Leuconostoc oenos X₂L, isolated from Argentinian wines, an amensalistic growth response was observed: Leuconostoc oenos did not grow, and after 24 h of incubation at 30°C no viable cells were detected. In pure and mixed cultures, Lactobacillus hilgardii produced hydrogen peroxide early in the growth cycle, reaching the maximum at 24 h. The values of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for the action of hydrogen peroxide on the growth of Leuconostoc oenos were: 4.08g ml^-1 and 17.00 g ml^-1 respectively.     

Mutant hemoglobin stability depends upon location and nature of single point mutation

The temperature dependence of the rates of heme release from the beta subunits of methemoglobin A and 5 beta mutant methemoglobins has been determined. The rates were largest for two hemoglobins with mutations distal to heme, previously known to be unstable. The other 3 mutants also released heme faster than A. These hemoglobins, with single point mutations at the alpha 1/beta 2 interface, were previously thought to be stable. The low reported yields of the 5 mutant proteins covaries with the relative rates of heme release from the met species.     

ON THE MECHANISM OF ELECTROSHOCK-INDUCED INHIBITION OF PROTEIN SYNTHESIS IN RABBIT CEREBRAL CORTEX

Abstract— The mechanism of electroshock (ES)-induced inhibition of protein synthesis in rabbit cerebral cortex has been investigated by using a cell-free system. The protein biosynthetic activity of the post-mitochondrial supernatant (PMS) obtained from the cerebral cortex of ES-treated animals was found to be markedly lower than in controls (C). This inhibition was accompanied by a decrease of polysomes and an increase of monomers. In addition, a relative increase in light polysomes was evident at short intervals after ES treatment. No difference was found in the total soluble activity and in the activity of the elongation factors and ribonuclease present in the cell sap of C and ES animals. The biosynthetic activity of ES-total. free and membrane-bound ribosomes was approx 45% lower than that of the corresponding C fractions: polysome/monomer ratios were similarly reduced. The total content of cortical ribosomes was not affected by ES. Following ES treatment there was no change in the ribo-somal ability to elongate, terminate and release polypeptide chains, nor a decrease in the polysomal content of poly(A)-containing mRNA. These data strongly suggest that the ES-induced inhibition of protein synthesis results from a defect in the initiation process. The possible mechanisms mediating this defect have been discussed.