Synthesis And Antiviral Evaluation Of 2′,3′-Secothymidine Analogs of ddT and AZT

Abstract

2′,3′-Secothymidine derivatives related to AZT and ddT have been synthesized and evaluated for their activity against HIV-1 and various DNA and RNA viruses. These acyclic nucleosides exhibited no antiviral activities.     

Decrease of pineal AMPc and TOH activity in the superior cervical ganglia after ablation of submaxillary glands in rats]

In order to investigate a possible functional relationship between the submandibular salivary gland (SSG) and the central nervous system (CNS), we have extirpated the salivary organs from thirty male rats. Twenty days after ablation both the pineal glands and the cervical superior ganglions (CSG) were dissected, homogenized and frozen until AMPc and TOH were assayed respectively. We observed a significant decrease in pineal AMPc (53.9 +/- 6.2 vs 76.1 +/- 7.6% of maximum value; p less than 0.02) which seems to be linked with a significant drop in TOH activity measured at CSG level (1.5 +/- 0.6 vs 3.7 +/- 0.9 nmoles of DOPA/h/pair GCS; p less than 0.03). Our results suggest that both findings might be due to the lack of NGF normally reaching the CSG from SSG. This data reinforces the idea of a functional link between SSG and CNS via the pineal gland.     

Mapping simian virus 40 mutants by construction of partial heterozygotes.

Simian virus 40 temperature-sensitive mutants ts A28, A30, B1, B11, and D101 are associated with the region of the genome defined by the restriction endonuclease fragments Hind-I, H, F, G, and E, respectively.     

Integrating multi-scale data on homologous recombination into a new recognition mechanism based on simulations of the RecA-ssDNA/dsDNA structure

RecA protein is the prototypical recombinase. Members of the recombinase family can accurately repair double strand breaks in DNA. They also provide crucial links between pairs of sister chromatids in eukaryotic meiosis. A very broad outline of how these proteins align homologous sequences and promote DNA strand exchange has long been known, as are the crystal structures of the RecA-DNA pre- and postsynaptic complexes; however, little is known about the homology searching conformations and the details of how DNA in bacterial genomes is rapidly searched until homologous alignment is achieved. By integrating a physical model of recognition to new modeling work based on docking exploration and molecular dynamics simulation, we present a detailed structure/function model of homology recognition that reconciles extremely quick searching with the efficient and stringent formation of stable strand exchange products and which is consistent with a vast body of previously unexplained experimental results.     

The host antigen phenomenon in experimental murine schistosomiasis. II. Failure to demonstrate destruction of parasites transferred from hamsters to mice.

Adult Schistosoma monsoni grown in hamsters and transferred directly to the mesenteric vessels of C57BL10J mice previously immunized with hamster cells survive normally despite evidence of cytoxic and hemagglutinating antibodies directed against hamster cells. This finding indicates that species differences may play an important part in the manifestions of the host antigen phenomenon in experimental schistosomiasis.     

Mechanisms of enzyme control as probed by equilibrium exchange rates: patterns of modifier effects with a two substrate, two product system

Measurements of reaction rates at equilibrium by isotopic exchange techniques can give considerable information about the mode of action of modifiers of enzymic reaction rates. To illustrate the various patterns that may be obtained, differing effects of modifiers on the exchange of A with P and of B with Q in the simple enzymic reaction of A + BP + Q are given. For this, reasonable values of rate constants are assumed, and calculations made for random and compulsory binding order systems. Cases where modifiers bind at the catalytic sites of substrate or at other binding sites, and where substrate association, substrate dissociation, covalent interconversion, or total catalytic capacity are modified are considered. Some quite distinctive patterns emerge, among the most interesting being those in which a modifier may block net catalysis yet allow one equilibrium exchange to occur essentially unhindered.