Chemical interactions with herpes simplex type 2 virus: Enhancement of transformation by hydrazine and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine

Quantitative assays for the morphological transformation of 3T3 Swiss mouse cells by herpes simplex type 2 virus (HSV-2) were employed to examine the effect on cell transformation of chemical carcinogens and suspected carcinogens. Exposure of the cells to the chemical compound, followed by virus infection, resulted in enhancement of transformation when compared to that observed with chemical or virus alone. Enhancement occurred in tests utilizing either UV light-inactivated HSV-2 (strain 333) or a temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant of HSV-2 [A₈(293)]. A series of seven ts-mutants were tested and exhibited varying degrees of transformation. Enhancement of transformation occurred in cells treated with hydrazine (HZ) and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (SDMH). No enhancement occurred when cells were treated with monomethylhydrazine, 1,1-dimethylhydrazine and the jet fuels JP-5, JP-10, RJ-4 and RJ-5. A strong time dependence after treatment was demonstrated with some enhancement seen at 6 h after chemical treatment but the greatest enhancement appeared when virus infection began after 24 h of chemical exposure.     

A mechanism for maintaining an up-to-date GenBank(R)database via Usenet

In this paper, we describe an automated system for distributingupdates to the GenBank nucleic acid sequence database, usingthe Usenet news system as the underlying transport mechanism.Our system allows new loci to be distributed as soon as thesequences are available, over existing networks, using existingUsenet software and infrastructure currently available on awide range of computer systems.     

Bilayer structure and physical dynamics of the cytochrome b5 dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine interaction.

Cytochrome b5 is a microsomal membrane protein which provides reducing potential to delta 5-, delta 6-, and delta 9-fatty acid desaturases through its interaction with cytochrome b5 reductase. Low angle x-ray diffraction has been used to determine the structure of an asymmetrically reconstituted cytochrome b5:DMPC model membrane system. Differential scanning calorimetry and fluorescence anisotropy studies were performed to examine the bilayer physical dynamics of this reconstituted system. These latter studies allow us to constrain structural models to those which are consistent with physical dynamics data. Additionally, because the nonpolar peptide secondary structure remains unclear, we tested the sensitivity of our model to different nonpolar peptide domain configurations. In this modeling approach, the nonpolar peptide moiety was arranged in the membrane to meet such chemically determined criteria as protease susceptibility of carboxyl- and amino-termini, tyrosine availability for pH titration and tryptophan 109 location, et cetera. In these studies, we have obtained a reconstituted cytochrome b5:DMPC bilayer structure at approximately 6.3 A resolution and conclude that the nonpolar peptide does not penetrate beyond the bilayer midplane. Structural correlations with calorimetry, fluorescence anisotropy and acyl chain packing data suggest that asymmetric cytochrome b5 incorporation into the bilayer increases acyl chain order. Additionally, we suggest that the heme peptide:bilayer interaction facilitates a discreet heme peptide orientation which would be dependent upon phospholipid headgroup composition.     

Seedling dynamics of some cotton grass tussock tundra species during the natural revegetation of small disturbed areas

The dynamics of seedling establishment, and growth of native cotton grass-tussock tundra species were studied during the natural revegetation of small bare areas excavated in tussock tundra. The seedlings of Eriophorum vaginatum spp. spissum and Carex bigelowii , two sedge species, established most successfully. Few seedlings of nonsedge species emerged with the small disturbances. Most seedling emergence occurred early in the first growing season following the excavation of the bare areas. The density of emerged seedlings was higher in bare areas excavated in the autumn preceding the observations, rather than in bare areas excavated at the start of the first season of observation. After two growing seasons, survival of seedlings was not affected by the time the seedling emerged within the growing season. Eriophorum vaginatum was the most abundant species because it: (1) had the highest seedling emergence rates, particularly early in the growing season: (2) produced more tillers per seedlings; and (3) had a higher growth rate per seedling than C. bigelowii .     

Effect of α-Methylphenylalanine and Phenylalanine on Brain Polyribosomes and Protein Synthesis

Abstract: A chronic hyperphenylalanemia was effectively produced in developing mice by daily administrations of phenylalanine (2 mg/g body wt) and a phenylalanine hydroxylase inhibitor α-methyl-D, L-phenylalanine (0.43 mg/g body wt). The presence of α-methylphenylalanine in newborn mice inhibited 65–70% of hepatic phenylalanine hydroxylase activity within 12 h. Since this maximum inhibition persisted for 24 h or longer, decreased enzyme activity was maintained by daily administrations. Whereas concentrations of phenylalanine increased approximately 40-fold in both plasma and brain following injection of α-methylphenylalanine and phenylalanine, plasma levels of tyrosine were not altered significantly. Concomitant with changes in phenylalanine concentrations we observed the brain polyribosomes' disaggregation, which reached a maximum 3 h after injection and persisted as long as 18 h. Polyribosomes did not become refractory to as many as 10 daily injections of α-methylphenylalanine and phenylalanine. In addition to polyribosome disaggregation, chronic hyperphenylalanemia reduced the rates of polypeptide chain elongation on polyribosomes isolated from brain homogenates.     

Partial purification and characterization of a human 3-methyladenine-DNA glycosylase.

A DNA glycosylase was purified about 30-fold from cultured human lymphoblasts (CCRF-CEM line) and was found to cleave 3-methyladenine from DNA alkylated with methyl methanesulfonate. The enzyme did not promote the release of 1-methyladenine, 7-methyladenine, or 7-methylguanine from DNA nor did it act on denatured methylated DNA. It produced apurinic sites in DNA alkylated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and ethyl methane-sulfonate as well as methyl methanesulfonate but not in untreated DNA or in DNA alkylated with nitrogen mustard or irradiated with ultraviolet light or X-rays. The glycosylase was free of detectable endonuclease activity in experiments with untreated DNA or DNA exposed to ultraviolet light; low levels of endonuclease activity, obtained when X-irradiated, alkylated, or depurinated DNA was the substrate, were attributed to contaminant apurinic endonuclease activity. This 3-methyladenine-DNA glycosylase has an estimated molecular weight of 34,000, is not dependent on divalent metal ions, and shows optimal activity at pH 7.5--8.5.     

Increased urinary excretion of free N-acetylneuraminic acid in thirteen patients with Salla disease

Thirteen severely retarded patients with Salla disease, a new type of lysosomal storage disorder, have been studied biochemically. All patients excreted approximately ten times more free sialic acid than normal individuals. The isolated sialic acid was characterized by paper chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, optical rotation, 13C and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry of its permethylated derivative. The results clearly indicated that the excreted sialic acid was identical to N-acetylneuraminic acid. The main sialylated trisaccharide present in the urine of the patients was identified as 3'-sialyllactose by sugar and methylation analysis. The excreted amounts were found to be within normal range.     

Paint Deterioration as a Result of the Growth of Aureobasidium pullulans on Wood

Growth of Aureobasidium was noted on both painted and unpainted wood surfaces but not on painted glass slides, indicating that the source of carbon and energy for growth was not associated with paint components but was probably supplied by the wood. Several aromatic compounds related to aromatic extractives of wood were shown to support growth of this fungus.