Enkephalin analogs and dermorphin in the conscious dog: Structure-activity relationships

Those structural features of enkephalins (ENK) responsible for in vitro organ bath and receptor binding activity have been investigated in detail in the conscious, chronically instrumented dog. Amide analogs of Leu⁵-ENK display reduced activity, which is restored by D-Ala² substitutions. N-terminal L-Tyr is required for full opiate activity. Although proven δ-receptor agonists do appear generally more active, distinctions made in vitro between μ and δ binding are not apparent in the complex hemodynamic responses which occur in the intact unanesthetized dog. The amphibian skin peptide dermorphin, which contains D-Ala², elevates heart rate, systemic arterial pressure, and induces vomiting with near maximal activity at a dose of 1.0 μg/kg; this activity is inhibited by naloxone. This activity, coupled with dermorphin's apparent presence in mammalian tissue, suggests that it may represent another peptide factor in cardiovascular regulation. In the conscious dog, ENK elevate heart rate and systemic arterial pressure; this activity does not appear to be fully explained by in vitro receptor models.     

Correlations between Potassium Uptake and Hydrogen Efflux in Barley Varieties : A POTENTIAL SCREENING METHOD FOR THE ISOLATION OF NUTRIENT EFFICIENT LINES

Rates of hydrogen ion secretion and potassium (⁸⁶Rb) absorption by intact roots of twenty-four barley varieties were measured in solutions containing K₂SO₄ (1 × 10⁻⁴ to 1 × 10⁻³ molar) plus 5 × 10⁻⁴ molar CaSO₄, at initial pH values in the range 5.3 to 5.5. Fluxes of H⁺ and K⁺ were strongly correlated in short-term experiments (up to 15 minutes) as well as in long-term experiments (lasting 24 hours). The observed correlations provide the basis for a preliminary screening method, designed to segregate varieties with high rates of potassium uptake by the use of an acid-base indicator (methyl red).     

Autonomic transmitter actions on cardiac pacemaker tissue: a brief review

Application of the voltage clamp technique to cardiac primary pacemaker tissue has yielded sufficiently detailed information that a qualitative model of the pacemaker response can now be formulated. One important difference between the generation of spontaneous activity in sinus tissue, and in the Purkinje fiber, appears to be the involvement of the slow inward current, Isi, in the sinus pacemaker depolarization. The voltage clamp results also demonstrate the importance of the Isi in the chronotropic responses of pacemaker tissue. Epinephrine has been shown to increase Isi in rabbit sinoatrial node, and there is indirect evidence that acetylcholine may reduce Isi in reptilian sinus venosus. Additional, more quantitative data are essential, however, before cardiac primary pacemaker activity and its modulation by the autonomic transmitters can be fully understood.     

Purification of the arom multienzyme aggregate from Euglena gracilis.

The arom multienzyme complex that catalyzes steps two through six in the prechorismate polyaromatic amino acid biosynthetic pathway has been purified up to 2000-fold from Euglena gracilis. The native arom aggregate has a molecular weight of approx. 249 000 based on a sedimentation coefficient of 9.5 and Stokes radius of 60 angstrom. A comparison between the arom aggregates of Neurospora crassa and Euglena gracilis and the possible phylogenetic relationships between the organisms are discussed.     

The kinetics of rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase. Initial-velocity, substrate- and product-inhibition and isotopic-exchange studies of the reverse reaction.

1. An assay, based on the transfer of label from [gamma-32P]ATP to [32P]phosphoenolpyruvate, suitable for a steady-state kinetic analysis of pyruvate kinase in the reverse direction (i.e. phosphoenolpyruvate synthesis), is described. 2. This assay was used in a kinetic investigation of the rabbit muscle enzyme including initial-rate and product-inhibition experiments, at a pH of 7.4 and constant concentrations of total K+ and free Mg2+. 3. These studies indicate that there is a random release of ADP and phosphoenolpyruvate from the enzyme and that there is a competitive substrate inhibition by ATP. Some of the results were suggestive that the rapid-equilibrium assumption, generally used for this enzyme was not valid. 4. Techniques were developed to measure the rate of isotopic exchange between all the substrate-product pairs. 5. By using these techniques the rates of isotopic exchange at chemical equilibrium were measured. The results indicate that this enzyme does not catalyse a truly rapid-equilibrium random mechanism, although in the forward reaction all initial-rate data obtained to date are consistent with this assumption.     

Purification and properties of pyruvate kinase from the hepatopancreas of Carcinus maenas.

Pyruvatekinase from the hepatopancreas of the common shore crab, Carcinus maenas, was purified to a specific activity of 240 units/mg of protein in the assay conditions described. 2. In one method of purification the enzymic activity could be resolved into two fractions after chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. Fructose 1, 6-diphosphate was able to effect the conversion of one form (peak 1) into the second (peak 2). 3. In the presence of a saturating concentration of fructose 1, 6-diphosphate both forms of the enzyme were kinetically similar. 4. Polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of the enzyme 1 day after preparation showed a single protein band. On storage at least three protein bands became visible, all of which were associated with pyruvate kinase activity. 5. Chromatography of the enzyme on Sephadex G-200 indicated a mol.wt. of 247000, but in the presence of fructose 1, 6-diphosphate the elution volume of the enzyme increased corresponding to a mol.wt. of 193000. 6 Dissociation of the enzyme in sodium dodecyl sulphate and 2-mercaptoethanol followed by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis produced one major protein band with a mol.wt. of 55000.     

On the chemical basis of chromosome banding patterns.

A comparative study of the staining characteristics of four reagents for human chromosomes has been carried out. The four reagents are: (I) quinacrine mustard, as an alkylating agent, (II) the dihydroxy derivative of quinacrine mustard, (III) quinacrine, and (IV) 9-amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine. The last reagent does not possess the amino substituted side chain even though it has the same intercalating nucleus. Comparison of the first three compounds in their staining and banding behavior suggested the initial step leading to banding may be the displacement of the nucleoprotein sites in hcromosomes. The Q and G banding could be blocked experimentally by treating the chromosome preparation with dimethylamine solution. This result may suggest that these sites have weaker basic proteins (nonhistone proteins?). The use of compound IV, which does not have the side chain in the molecule but does have the same intercalating chromophore, did not lead to banding and gives indirect support to this hypothesis. A combined use of compound IV and quinacrine may be useful for the determination of total DNA vs. banding DNA.     

Fascioloides magna (Bassi, 1875) in feral swine from southern Texas.

Between 1971 and 1975, Fascioloides magna was found in 46 of 67 (69%) feral swine (Sus scrofa) in southern Texas. Flukes were recovered from swine in areas where F. magna commonly has been recovered from white-tailed deer and cattle. One to 12 flukes were recovered from each infected animal. Their presence was indicated by black hematin pigment on the liver and various other internal organs. Eggs were not detected in the gallbladder or feces of infected animals although mature flukes and eggs were recovered in the livers suggesting that, like cattle, feral swine can be infected but are aberrant hosts for the parasite and do not disseminate eggs.