Gabaergic Pharmacological Activity of Propofol Related Compounds as Possible Enhancers of General Anesthetics and Interaction with Membranes

Phenol compounds, such as propofol and thymol, have been shown to act on the GABA_A receptor through interaction with specific sites of this receptor. In addition, considering the high lipophilicity of phenols, it is possible that their pharmacological activity may also be the result of the interaction of phenol molecules with the surrounding lipid molecules, modulating the supramolecular organization of the receptor environment. Thus, in the present study, we study the pharmacological activity of some propofol- and thymol-related phenols on the native GABA_A receptor using primary cultures of cortical neurons and investigate the effects of these compounds on the micro viscosity of artificial membranes by means of fluorescence anisotropy. The phenol compounds analyzed in this article are carvacrol, chlorothymol, and eugenol. All compounds were able to enhance the binding of [³H]flunitrazepam with EC₅₀ values in the micromolar range and to increase the GABA-evoked Cl^? influx in a concentration-dependent manner, both effects being inhibited by the competitive GABA_A antagonist bicuculline. These results strongly suggest that the phenols studied are positive allosteric modulators of this receptor. Chlorothymol showed a bell-type effect, reducing its positive effect at concentrations >100 μM. The concentrations necessary to induce positive allosteric modulation of GABA_A receptor were not cytotoxic. Although all compounds were able to decrease the micro viscosity of artificial membranes, chlorothymol displayed a larger effect which could explain its effects on [³H]flunitrazepam binding and on cell viability at high concentrations. Finally, it is suggested that these compounds may exert depressant activity on the central nervous system and potentiate the effects of general anesthetics.     

Outer membrane proteins of Pseudomonas

In this review, we describe the outer membrane proteins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and related strains from the Pseudomonas fluorescens rRNA homology group of the Pseudomonadaceae, with emphasis on the physiological function and biochemical characteristics of these proteins. The use of opr (for outer membrane protein) is proposed as the genetic designation for the P. aeruginosa outer membrane proteins and letters are assigned, in conjunction with this designation, to known outer membrane proteins. Proteins whose primary functions involve pore formation, transport of specific substrates, cell structure determination and membrane stabilization are discussed. The conservation of selected proteins in the above Pseudomonas species is also examined.     

Genetic organization of transfer region of F-like plasmid pAP18-1

The results of complementation analysis of nitrosoguanidine-induced mutants of F-like drd-plasmid pAP18-1 (Tc, ColV) testified to the existence of at least 3 tra regions (tra1, tra2, tra3) and regulating locus fin V in the genome of this plasmid. By means of molecular cloning of tra2 region and locus fin V of plasmid pAP18-1drd were located in Sall-fragment f5 (3.9 MD).     

Elimination of apple stem grooving virus by chemotherapy and development of an immunocapture RT-PCR for rapid sensitive screening

Ombuin (7,4′-dimethyl quercetin) (10 μg ml^-1, for 12 wk), glycyrrhizin/quercetin (80 μg ml^-1and 10 μg ml^-1respectively, for 18 wk), ribavirin (10 μg ml^-1, for 12 wk) and quercetin/ribavirin (10 μg ml^-1each, for 9–12 wk) reduced the titre of apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) when applied in vitro to infected tissue cultures of Nicotiana occidentalis obliqua Wheeler, and/or Malus domestica. ASGV was not detectable in both plant species after the quercitin/ribavirin treatment when tested by ISEM, herbaceous host indexing, RT-PCR, and immunocapture RT-PCR. A sensitive immunocapture RT-PCR procedure for the detection of ASGV was developed for the screening of treated samples to assess antiviral activity.     

Structure of vegetation of steppe hills in the Altai piedmont

The phytocenotic diversity of the Altai steppe piedmont is described. Plant communities were ordinated along the moisture gradient. The results were used to analyze the structure of vegetation of steppe hill massifs. Distribution of steppe vegetation over an ideal hill was simulated, and the main patterns of distribution were typified.     

Lipid synthesis in permeabilized cultured rat hepatocytes

Hepatic lipid synthesis was verified and studied in lysolecithin-permeabilized cultured rat hepatocytes and compared to that of intact liver cells. Triacylglycerol synthesis in permeabilized cells incubated in the presence of glycerol 3-phosphate and long chain fatty acids approached that of intact hepatocytes. Similarly, phosphatidylcholine synthesis in permeable cells incubated in the presence of exogenous CDP-choline was similar to that of intact hepatocytes and at the expense of microsomal neutral lipid synthesis. Phosphatidic acid accumulation in lysolecithin-permeabilized liver cells was remarkably increased as compared to that of intact cells, and its synthesis was mostly accounted for by the activity of mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase. Mitochondrial-generated phosphatidate was found to migrate to the endoplasmic reticulum, thus establishing a novel lipid esterification pathway which begins in mitochondrial glycerol 3-phosphate acylation and results in microsomal triacylglycerol and phospholipid synthesis. The free access of permeabilized liver cells to substrates and modulators of lipid synthesis, while maintaining an overall synthetic pattern similar to that of intact hepatocytes, makes them a system of choice for studying hepatic lipid synthesis in general and the microsomal/mitochondrial distribution of fluxes in particular.     

Proteins of the lupin family, binding molybdenum, tungsten, and radionuclide effluents from the Chernobyl Atomic Energy Station

Yellow lupine seeds were found to contain two proteins and a low molecular weight fraction possessing the ability to bind Mo, W and radionuclides from the Chernobyl nuclear power in vivo and the 185W isotope in vitro. These proteins differ in their electrophoretic mobility. The electrophoretically less mobile protein undergoes proteolytic degradation; the proteolytic product retains the ability to accumulate microelements.