Insulin Antagonist of Pituitary Origin in Plasma of Normal and Diabetic Subjects

Studies on ultrafiltrates of the plasma of normal and diabetic subjects have shown that a polypeptide of similar characteristics to the growth-hormone-derived polypeptide In-G is present in higher concentrations in diabetic subjects, thus indicating a possible role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. The polypeptide is absent from the plasma of hypophysectomized diabetic patients.     

In vitro polyoma DNA synthesis: Involvement of RNA in discontinuous chain growth

Short fragments of DNA (5 S) isolated by denaturation from polyoma replicative intermediates pulse-labeled in vitro were shown to have RNA covalently attached by three criteria: (1) such fragments were slightly denser than bulk viral DNA. (2) They could be labeled directly with α-³²P-labeled ribotriphosphates. (3) Alkaline hydrolysis of fragments labeled with α-³²P-labeled deoxynucleoside triphosphates showed ³²P transfer to 3′ ribonucleoside monophosphates. Except for a preference of transfer from dC, the link showed little sequence specificity. The data are compatible with the notion that all short fragments in replicating viral DNA are initiated by an RNA primer. This RNA is maximally 30 bases long and is rather short-lived.     

GLYCOSYL TRANSFERASE ACTIVITY IN NORMAL AND SCRAPIE-AFFECTED MOUSE BRAIN

—The conditions required for the optimal activity of several glycosyl transferases were determined in normal and scrapie-affected mouse brain. Particulate preparations were analysed for fucosyl, galactosyl, mannosyl and N-acetyl glucosaminyl transferase activity using endogenous acceptors. Solubilized preparations were analysed for fucosyl, galactosyl and sialyl transferase activity using defined exogenous acceptors. The activity of each of these enzymes was followed at intervals throughout the development of scrapie in the mouse. In the endogenous system no change was found in the fucosyl and mannosyl transferase activities of the scrapie material, but the levels of galactosyl and N-acetyl glucosaminyl transferase began to rise as clinical signs of scrapie developed i.e. at 15–16 weeks post-inoculation. In the exogenous system the levels of galactosyl and fucosyl transferase began to rise in the scrapie material at 11–12 weeks post-inoculation, rising to twice the normal value at 18–20 weeks. Sialyl transferase showed no change in activity.