Molecular phenotyping of non-transformed and chemically transformed C3H10T1/2 mouse fibroblasts

A systematic molecular phenotyping approach based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis is being applied in an attempt to identify protein changes associated with malignant transformation. Using the C3H10T1/2 mouse cell line, two-dimensional polypeptide maps of the non-transformed cell line, several chemically transformed lines and a tumour cell line were compared. Although there is a large degree of similarity between the protein profiles of all cell lines, clear differences are evident. Initial results are consistent with the view that many of the protein changes are incidental to malignant transformation. Changes induced by 3-methylcholanthrene are retained after transplantation of the cells into nude mice.     

THE MECHANISM OF COMPLEMENT FIXATION

1. Complement fixation is obtained in every antigen-antibody reaction involving the presence or formation of a heterogeneous phase (red cells, bacteria, precipitate). 2. The physical constants of fixation (temperature coefficient, velocity, quantitative relationships between the reactants) are those commonly associated with adsorption processes, and are the same in the three types of fixation studied. 3. All the in vitro immune reactions involve an aggregation of immune-serum globulins upon the surface of the antigen. It has been shown that the "fixation" of complement is an adsorption by the aggregates so formed; whether these aggregates are visible as a flocculent precipitate (e.g., sheep serum vs. anti-serum) or concentrated as a surface film on a cellular antigen (sensitized cells; agglutinated bacteria), the reaction is fundamentally the same. 4. As yet, it is unknown whether this adsorption is determined by the physical state of the precipitate, and thus, differs only quantitatively from that by Kaolin, charcoal, normal bacteria, heat-denatured proteins, etc.; or whether the comparatively enormous avidity of these aggregates for complement is due to a specific chemical affinity.     

Synthesis of phosphopeptides by the Multipinast method: Evaluation of coupling methods for the incorporation of Fmoc- Tyr(PO3Bzl,H)-OH,Fmoc- Ser(PO3Bzl,H)-OH and Fmoc- Thr(PO3Bzl,H)-OH

Summary The efficiency of various coupling methods for the incorporation of the three monobenzyl phosphorodiesterprotected derivatives, Fmoc-Tyr(PO₃Bzl,H)-OH, Fmoc-Ser(PO₃Bzl,H)-OH and Fmoc-Thr(PO₃Bzl,H)-OH, was examined through the test synthesis of Ala-Ser-Gln-Gly-Xxx(PO₃H₂)-Leu-Glu-Asp-Pro-Ala-NH₂ (Xxx=Tyr, Ser, Thr) using the Multipin method of multiple peptide synthesis. The coupling methods examined were (1) PyBrop/DIEA; (2) BOP/HOBt/NMM; (3) BOP/HOBt/DIEA; (4) HBTU/HOBt/DIEA; (5) HATU/HOAt/DIEA; (6) HATU/DIEA; (7) DIC/HOBt; (8) DIC/HOBt/DIEA; (9)DIC/HOAt; (10) DIC/HOAt/DIEA. While all four DIC-based coupling procedures resulted in incomplete incorporation, both the HBTU/HOBt/DIEA and HATU/HOAt/DIEA coupling procedures provided most efficient incorporation of the three Fmoc-Xxx (PO₃Bzl,H)-OH derivatives. In the subsequent synthesis of the α-helical Tyr(P)-peptide, Glu-Thr-Gly-The-Lys-Ala-Glu-Leu-Leu-Ala-Lys-Tyr(PO₃H₂)-Glu-Ala-Thr-His-Lys-NH₂, analysis of the crude peptide by electrospray MS confirmed that several residue deletions had occurred but that complete incorporation of the Tyr(P)-residue had been accomplished using HBTU/HOBt/DIEA coupling of Fmoc-Tyr(PO₃Bzl,H)-OH. Multipin is a trademark of Chiron Technologies Pty. Ltd., Clayton, Victoria, Australia.     

Dextromethorphan attenuated the higher vulnerability to inflammatory thermal hyperalgesia caused by prenatal morphine exposure in rat offspring

Background  

Co-administration of dextromethorphan (DM) with morphine during pregnancy and throughout lactation has been found to reduce morphine physical dependence and tolerance in rat offspring. No evidence was presented, however, for the effect of DM co-administered with morphine during pregnancy on inflammatory hyperalgesia in morphine-exposed offspring. Therefore, we attempt to investigate the possible effect of prenatal morphine exposure on the vulnerability to hyperalgesia and the possible therapeutic effect of DM in the present study.     

Cuticle hydrolysis in four medically important fly species by enzymes of the entomopathogenic fungus Conidiobolus coronatus

Entomopathogenic fungi infect insects via penetration through the cuticle, which varies remarkably in chemical composition across species and life stages. Fungal infection involves the production of enzymes that hydrolyse cuticular proteins, chitin and lipids. Host specificity is associated with fungus–cuticle interactions related to substrate utilization and resistance to host‐specific inhibitors. The soil fungus Conidiobolus coronatus (Constantin) (Entomophthorales: Ancylistaceae) shows virulence against susceptible species. The larvae and pupae of Calliphora vicina (Robineau‐Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Calliphora vomitoria (Linnaeus), Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Musca domestica (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Muscidae) are resistant, but adults exposed to C. coronatus quickly perish. Fungus was cultivated for 3 weeks in a minimal medium. Cell‐free filtrate, for which activity of elastase, N‐acetylglucosaminidase, chitobiosidase and lipase was determined, was used for in vitro hydrolysis of the cuticle from larvae, puparia and adults. Amounts of amino acids, N‐glucosamine and fatty acids released were measured after 8 h of incubation. The effectiveness of fungal enzymes was correlated with concentrations of compounds detected in the cuticles of tested insects. Positive correlations suggest compounds used by the fungus as nutrients, whereas negative correlations may indicate compounds responsible for insect resistance. Adult deaths result from the ingestion of conidia or fungal excretions.     

STUDIES ON BLOOD COAGULATION : I. THE R?LE OF PROTHROMBIN AND OF PLATELETS IN THE FORMATION OF THROMBIN

1. A method is described for the preparation and titration of prothrombin and thrombin. 2. Confirming the views of Morawitz, Howell (1916–17, 1925), and Bordet, thrombin cannot be regarded as an artificial by-product of coagulation (Wooldridge, Nolf (both quoted from Morawitz)). Calcium, a platelet factor, and a plasma factor (prothrombin) interact to form thrombin, and this then acts upon fibrinogen to form fibrin. The amount and rate of thrombin formation in the first reaction are independent of the presence or absence of fibrinogen. After a variable latent period, thrombin suddenly appears in large quantities, coincident with or immediately preceding the deposition of fibrin if fibrinogen is present. 3. The amount of thrombin formed in a mixture of prothrombin, Ca and platelets is independent of the platelet or Ca concentration, and depends primarily upon the amount of prothrombin used. The platelets (or cephalin) enormously accelerate the transformation of prothrombin to thrombin, and this acceleration seems to be their physiological rôle in the coagulation process. 4. Contrary to previous reports, platelets have not been demonstrated to contain significant quantities of prothrombin. 5. The available data do not allow any definite decision as to whether the platelet factor actually combines with prothrombin to form thrombin, or merely catalyzes the transformation. The very slow formation of thrombin in the complete absence of platelets may be due to dissolved traces of platelet material released during the physical manipulation of the plasma (centrifuging, Berkefeld filtration). 6. There was no evidence for a species-specific activity of platelets in the transformation of prothrombin to thrombin.