High dietary salt amplifies osmoresponsiveness in vasopressin-releasing neurons

1. Download : Download high-res image (269KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Neuropharmacology of supraoptic nucleus neurons: norepinephrine and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors

The neurosecretory neurons in the mammalian hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus receive prominent GABAergic and noradrenergic projections arising from local interneurons and the A1 cells in the ventrolateral medulla, respectively. Intracellular recordings in in vitro perfused hypothalamic explants reveal an abundance of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) and a compound IPSP after electrical stimulation in the diagonal band of Broca area. The sensitivity of both spontaneous and evoked IPSPs to intracellular chloride injection, bicuculline, and pentobarbital is consistent with a GABA-activated, chloride-mediated inhibitory synaptic input. Parallel changes in membrane voltage and conductance are present during applications of GABA and muscimol, with similar sensitivity to ionic manipulation, bicuculline, and pentobarbital. These observations contrast with the consistently excitatory effects that follow either the stimulation of A1 cells or the application of norepinephrine and alpha 1-adrenergic agonists. Norepinephrine induces membrane depolarizations and bursting activity patterns that are blocked by the selective alpha 1 antagonist prazosin. Membrane response to norepinephrine is voltage dependent and is associated with little change in conductance. GABA and norepinephrine are proposed as transmitters in the final central pathways that mediate information to supraoptic vasopressinergic neurons from peripheral baroreceptors and chemoreceptors, respectively.     

An ethidium-acrylamide affinity medium for recovery of nucleic acids from free solution and from polyacrylamide and agarose gels

The simple preparation of an ethidium-bromide-based nucleic acid affinity medium is described. The medium is composed of an acrylamide matrix to which ethidium bromide is attached. Its use in preparative purification and fractionation of nucleic acids in solution and in electrophoretic elution of nucleic acids from gels is reported. Nucleic acids can be eluted from this medium with a buffered salt solution and concentrated by ethanol precipitation without persistent contamination with undesirable impurities.     

Influence of oxygenation and carbon dioxide on the growth ofRhizobium meliloti in a fermenter

A decrease in dissolved O₂ from 90% to 50% saturation in a fermenter adversely affected both blomass production ofRhizobium meliloti ATCC 9930 and viable cell number, although oxygen was never limiting. Lower amounts of dissolved oxygen, or accidental decreases in dissolved oxygen concentration, also caused appreciable acidification of the culture broth, which was the result of CO₂ accumulation in the medium. Adding CO₂ to the aeration gas mixture affected both biomass production and mean generation time in proportion to the CO₂ concentration; the effect on viable cell number was less pronounced.R. meliloti may be considered as a microorganism moderately sensitive to CO₂. GoodR. meliloti growth requires, among other things, not only sufficient aeration (oxygenation) but also good ventilation of the CO₂ evolved during the fermentation.

---

Résumé La diminution de l'O₂ dissous de 90 à 50% de la saturation dans un fermenteur, a affecté de manière négative tant la production de biomasse deRhizobium meliloti ATCC 9930 que le nombre de cellules revivifiables, bien que l'oxygène ne fut jamais limitant. Des quantités diminuées d'oxygène dissous ou une diminution accidentelle de la concentration en oxygène dissous, ont également causé une acidification appréciable du milieu de culture résultant de l'accumulation de CO₂ dans le milieu. L'ajout de CO₂ au gaz d'aération a affecté tant la production de biomasse que le temps moyen de génération, proportionnellement à la concentration de CO₂; l'effet sur le nombre de cellules revivifiables était moins prononcé.R. meliloti peut être considéré comme un microorganisme modérément sensible au CO₂. Une bonne croissance deR. meliloti requiert, entre autres, non seulement une aération (oxygénation) suffisante, mais aussi une bonne ventilation du CO₂ engendré pendant la fermentation.

---

---

Publication Number NRCC No. 32389     

Conditions leading to precipitation of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase differ from those leading to enzyme activation

The relation between conditions leading to precipitation and/or activation of Ru-P₂ carboxylase have been explored in order to test the hypothesis that conformational changes leading to precipitation might be identical to those which are presumed to lead to enzyme activation. From the results of kinetic and solubility studies, we conclude that this hypothesis is not valid, since changes in solubility of Ru-P₂ carboxylase occur ten times as fast as changes in enzyme kinetics.