A fast and simple radiometric assay for adenosine deaminase using reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography

A new quantitative radiometric assay for adenosine deaminase is described. The reaction conditions are similar to those used in other radioassays and are shown to result in an activity which increases linearly with time and with enzyme concentration. An original feature of the technique resides in the use of reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography to separate adenosine from inosine. The separation is complete, fast, and reproducible. Both compounds can be recovered almost quantitatively from the plates. The assay is very simple and allows the determination of up to 36 samples in 3 h.     

Iron-porphyrin catalysis of the oxidative dealkylation of para-nitro-anisole and 7-ethoxycoumarin by cumylhydroperoxide: a possible model for the corresponding cytochrome P 450-dependent reactions

A biphasic system containing an iron porphyrin, Fe (TPP) (C1)¹ or [Fe(TPP)]₂O, efficiently catalyzes the cumyl-or tertiobutyl-hydroperoxide-supported dealkylation of p-nitroanisole and 7-ethoxycoumarin to the corresponding phenol and formaldehyde. Stoichiometric amounts of iron porphyrin and hydroperoxide give a quantitative reaction. Catalytic amounts of iron porphyrin give reaction rates and yields which are proportional to substrate concentration. With increasing hydroperoxide concentrations, the rates level offto limit values and the yield rapidly decreases. The maximum rates obtained approach those of the reactions mediated by cytochrome P 450-dependent monooxygenases.     

Assembly of the mitochondrial membrane system XIX

Summary Two F^- mutants deficient in conjugation with F-type donors are isolated and characterized. Phenotypically, these mutants are similar; they have heptose-less lipopolysaccharide and lack some outer membrane protein. Genotypically, they are different. One mutant harbours a point mutation in the 70 to 74 min region, while the other is deleted for the chromosomal region 6.5 to 8.5 min. Comparison of the properties of the conjugation-deficient mutants described in this paper with other such mutants suggests than an outer membrane protein is the receptor for the F-pilus.     

Computation of aortic pulse wave velocity and aortic pulse wave velocity and aortic extensibility from pressure gradient measurements.

This study is concerned with the computation of aortic pulse wave velocity based on simultaneous recordings of the aortic pressure gradient and first-time derivative of aortic pressure. These variables were recorded by means of a double-lumen catheter introduced in the aorta of four anesthetized closed chest dogs, and connected to critically damped manometer systems. Results of aortic pulse wave velocity were then compared: (i) to the true phase velocity obtained from spectra of apparent phase velocity, and (ii) to the pulse wave velocity computed from the time shift between maximum slopes of the pressure wave. From the aortic valves to 37 cm down the aortic trunk, pulse wave velocity increased from 410-460 cm/s to approximately 600-800 cm/s. Based on the wave propagation equation presented of Bramwell and Hill (Bramwell, J.C., and Hill, A. V. 1922. Proc. R. Soc. 93, 298-306), volumetric extensibility coefficients were computed from pulse wave velocity data. Results indicated that, from the aortic valves to 37 cm down to the aorta, the mean volumetric extensibility decreased from 0.43-0.56% deltaV/cm H2O to 0.16-0.25% deltaV/cm H2O (1 cm H2O = 94.1 N/m2).     

Influence of clay minerals on sorption of bacteriolytic enzymes

Myxobacteria presumably produce extracellular bacteriolytic enzymes when they are growing in soil. In order to study their ecological significance, adsorption experiments were performed with lytic enzymes produced byMyxococcus virescens in casitone media. Different soils as well as montmorillonite and kaolinite can rapidly adsorb the bacteriolytic but not the proteolytic enzymes. About 1 gm of montmorillonite per liter of cell-free culture solution is enough for the adsorption of 97% of the bacteriolytic enzymes. The adsorption per unit weight is about 100 times greater on montmorillonite than on kaolinite. About 40% of the adsorbed enzymes can be eluted with solutions of high pH or high ionic strength. The only desorbed bacteriolytic enzyme is the alanyl-∈-N-lysine endopeptidase.     

Staining of Some Specific Regions of Human Chromosomes,particularly the Secondary Constriction of No. 9

SEVERAL procedures have been described recently which produce specific patterns of differential staining in human chromosomes^1–9. Techniques which involve DNA denaturation and reannealing reveal deeply stained areas on centromere and secondary constriction regions which have been equated with constitutive heterochromatin⁹.     

The mode of action of thidiazuron: auxins,indoleamines, and ion channels in the regeneration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinacea purpurea</Emphasis> L.

The biochemical mechanisms underlying thidiazuron (TDZ)-induced regeneration in plant cells have not been clearly elucidated. Exposure of leaf explants of Echinacea purpurea to a medium containing TDZ results in undifferentiated cell proliferation and differentiated growth as mixed shoot organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis. The current studies were undertaken to determine the potential roles of auxin, indoleamines, and ion signaling in the dedifferentiation and redifferentiation of plant cells. E. purpurea leaf explants were found to contain auxin and the related indoleamine neurotransmitters, melatonin, and serotonin. The levels of these endogenous indoleamines were increased by exposure to TDZ associated with the induction of regeneration. The auxin-transport inhibitor 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid and auxin action inhibitor, p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid decreased the TDZ-induced regeneration but increased concentrations of endogenous serotonin and melatonin. As well, inhibitors of calcium and sodium transport significantly reduced TDZ-induced morphogenesis while increasing endogenous indoleamine content. These data indicate that TDZ-induced regeneration is the manifestation of a metabolic cascade that includes an initial signaling event, accumulation, and transport of endogenous plant signals such as auxin and melatonin, a system of secondary messengers, and a concurrent stress response.