Metoclopramide increases plasma but not cerebrospinal fluid vasopressin levels in man: study in hydrocephalic patients.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations were determined in plasma and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 8 adult male patients suffering from hydrocephalus of various etiologies, before and after intravenous administration of 10 mg metoclopramide. Metoclopramide was able to increase the plasma (2.6 +/- 0.2 ng/l in basal conditions and 6.1 +/- 0.6 ng/l at 30 min) but not the CSF AVP levels. The results suggest that the neurons which secrete AVP into the CSF may be functionally different from those secreting into the peripheral circulation.     

Bacterial conversion of glycerol to beta-hydroxypropionaldehyde

beta-hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA) can be oxidized to acrylic acid, an industrially important chemical used in the manufacture of synthetic plastics and other polymers. Of 19 genera and 55 strains tested, 3 Klebsiella and 2 Enterobacter strains produced 3-HPA. The most efficient strain was Klebsiella pneumoniae NRRL B-4011. Under optimum conditions (28 degrees C; 40 g of semicarbazide hydrochloride per liter, 70 g of glycerol per liter; and pH 6.0), 3.1 g of B-4011 cells per liter accumulated 22 g of 3-HPA per liter at a specific rate of 0.83 g/g per h; however, 14.5 g of cells per liter accumulated 46 g of 3-HPA per liter at a specific rate of 0.41 g/g per h.     

Modeling the Role of Negative Cooperativity in Metabolic Regulation and Homeostasis

A significant proportion of enzymes display cooperativity in binding ligand molecules, and such effects have an important impact on metabolic regulation. This is easiest to understand in the case of positive cooperativity. Sharp responses to changes in metabolite concentrations can allow organisms to better respond to environmental changes and maintain metabolic homeostasis. However, despite the fact that negative cooperativity is almost as common as positive, it has been harder to imagine what advantages it provides. Here we use computational models to explore the utility of negative cooperativity in one particular context: that of an inhibitor binding to an enzyme. We identify several factors which may contribute, and show that acting together they can make negative cooperativity advantageous.     

Atx1-like chaperones and their cognate P-type ATPases: copper-binding and transfer

Copper is an essential yet toxic metal ion. To satisfy cellular requirements, while, at the same time, minimizing toxicity, complex systems of copper trafficking have evolved in all cell types. The best conserved and most widely distributed of these involve Atx1-like chaperones and P_1B-type ATPase transporters. Here, we discuss current understanding of how these chaperones bind Cu(I) and transfer it to the Atx1-like N-terminal domains of their cognate transporter.     

Separation and visualization of apolipoprotein B species by sodium dodecyl sulfate-agarose gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting

A method for separation and visualization of the different apolipoprotein B species using 0.2% sodium dodecyl sulfate-1.5% agarose gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting is described. The method is capable of demonstrating the different forms of apolipoprotein B (apo B) in plasma volumes of 10-50 microliters without prior ultracentrifugation. After ultracentrifugation of samples, estimation of the ratio between apo B 48 and apo B 100 is possible by scanning of Coomassie-stained gels or immunoblots.