The effects of long-chain alcohols on membrane lipids and the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase

The (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase obtained from sheep kidney outer medulla is irreversibly denatured by long-chain aliphatic alcohols. The denaturation proceeds by causing a change in the structure of the membrane lipids rather than by binding directly to the protein. The alcohols decrease the ability of the membrane lipid bilayer to orient the spin label 3-(4′,4′-dimethyloxazolidinyl)-5α-androstan-17β-ol. For the low molecular weight alcohols the ability of the membrane to orient the label is completely lost while for alcohols with more than five carbons only partial loss of the orienting ability of the membrane occurs. The alcohol concentrations necessary to denature the enzyme correspond to the concentrations that produce the maximal change in the ability of the membrane to orient the label, and correlate well with the hydrophobicity of the alcohols as measured by their water-octanol partition coefficients.     

Magnetic resonance and kinetic studies of the partial complex and Component I subunit forms of Salmonella typhimurium anthranilate synthase

Metal ion interactions of the monofunctional partial complex of Salmonella typhimurium anthranilate synthase were investigated using kinetic, NMR, and EPR methods. Mn2+ activates AS-partial complex in place of Mg2+, with a Km of 0.08 microM for Mn2+ and of 3.5 microM for Mg2+ in glutamine-dependent anthranilate synthase activity. The kinetics indicated that the metal interacts at the active site with chorismate, not glutamine. EPR and NMR water proton relaxation rate (PRR) studies supported this conclusion. EPR binding analysis showed that chorismate dramatically tightens Mn2+ binding by the partial complex. PRR experiments indicated that stoichiometric amounts of chorismate cause a substantial decrease in the enhancement of water relaxation by Mn2+, while millimolar amounts of glutamine have no effect. Analysis of the frequency dependence of water proton relaxation rates yielded dipolar correlation times of 2.5 x 10(-9) s and 4.1 x 10(-9) s for the Mn2+-partial complex and Mn2+-partial complex-chorismate complexes, respectively. These studies also indicated that chorismate binding reduces the number of fast-exchanging water molecules on enzyme-bound Mn2+ from 1 to 0.25. PRR experiments with the native bifunctional anthranilate synthase-phosphoribosyltransferase enzyme indicated the existence of additional Mn2+-binding sites which presumably function to activate the phosphoribosyltransferase activity of the Component II subunit.     

1H nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the conformation of an ATP analogue at the active site of Na,K-ATPase from kidney medulla

1H nuclear magnetic relaxation measurements have been used to determine the three-dimensional conformation of an ATP analogue, Co(NH3)4ATP, at the active site of sheep kidney Na,K-ATPase. Previous studies have shown that Co(NH3)4ATP is a competitive inhibitor with respect to MnATP for the Na,K-ATPase [Klevickis, C., & Grisham, C. M. (1982) Biochemistry 21, 6979; Gantzer, M. L., Klevickis, C., & Grisham, C. M. (1982) Biochemistry 21, 4083] and that Mn2+ bound to a single, high-affinity site on the ATPase can be an effective paramagnetic probe for nuclear relaxation studies of the Na,K-ATPase [O'Connor, S. E., & Grisham, C. M. (1979) Biochemistry 18, 2315]. From the paramagnetic effect of Mn2+ bound to the ATPase on the longitudinal relaxation rates of the protons of Co(NH3)4ATP at the substrate site (at 300 and 361 MHz), Mn-H distances to seven protons on the bound nucleotide were determined. Taken together with previous 31P nuclear relaxation data, these measurements are consistent with a single nucleotide conformation at the active site. The nucleotide adopts a bent configuration, in which the triphosphate chain lies nearly parallel to the adenine moiety. The glycosidic torsion angle is 35 degrees, and the conformation of the ribose ring is slightly N-type (C2'-exo, C3'-endo). The delta and gamma torsional angles in this conformation are 100 degrees and 178 degrees, respectively. The bound Mn2+ lies above and in the plane of the adenine ring. The distances from Mn2+ to N6 and N7 are too large for first coordination sphere complexes but are appropriate for second-sphere complexes involving, for example, intervening hydrogen-bonded water molecules.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Nuclear Overhauser effect studies of the conformation of Co(NH3)4ATP bound to kidney Na,K-ATPase

Transferred nuclear Overhauser effect measurements (in the two-dimensional mode) have been used to determine the three-dimensional conformation of an ATP analogue, Co(NH3)4ATP, at the active site of sheep kidney Na,K-ATPase. Previous studies have shown that Co(NH3)4ATP is a competitive inhibitor with respect to MnATP for the Na,K-ATPase [Klevickis, C., & Grisham, C.M. (1982) Biochemistry 21, 6979. Gantzer, M.L., et al. (1982) Biochemistry 21, 4083]. Nine unique proton-proton distances on ATPase-bound Co(NH3)4ATP were determined from the initial build-up rates of the cross-peaks of the 2D-TRNOE data sets. These distances, taken together with previous 31P and 1H relaxation measurements with paramagnetic probes, are consistent with a single nucleotide conformation at the active site. The bound Co(NH3)4ATP) adopts an anti conformation, with a glycosidic torsion angle of 35 degrees, and the conformation of the ribose ring is slightly N-type (C2'-exo, C3'-endo). The delta and gamma torsional angles in this conformation are 100 degrees and 178 degrees, respectively. The nucleotide adopts a bent configuration, in which the triphosphate chain lies nearly parallel to the adenine moiety. Mn2+ bound to a single, high-affinity site on the ATPase lies above and in the plane of the adenine ring. The distances from enzyme-bound Mn2+ to N6 and N7 are too large for first coordination sphere complexes, but are appropriate for second-sphere complexes involving, for example, intervening hydrogen-bonded water molecules. The NMR data also indicate that the structure of the bound ATP analogue is independent of the conformational state of the enzyme.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Expression analysis of genes associated with sucrose accumulation in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) varieties differing in content and time of peak sucrose storage

Sucrose synthesis/accumulation in sugarcane is a complex process involving many genes and regulatory sequences that control biochemical events in source–sink tissues. Among these, sucrose synthase (SuSy), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), soluble acid (SAI) and cell wall (CWI) invertases are important. Expression of these enzymes was compared in an early (CoJ64) and late (BO91) maturing sugarcane variety using end‐point and qRT‐PCR. Quantitative RT‐PCR at four crop stages revealed high CWI expression in upper internodes of CoJ64, which declined significantly in both top and bottom internodes with maturity. In BO91, CWI expression was high in top and bottom internodes and declined significantly only in top internodes as the crop matured. Overall, CWI expression was higher in CoJ64 than in BO91. During crop growth, there was no significant change in SPS expression in bottom internodes in CoJ64, whereas in BO91 it decreased significantly. Apart from a significant decrease in expression of SuSy in mature bottom internodes of BO91, there was no significant change. Similar SAI expression was observed with both end‐point and RT‐PCR, except for significantly increased expression in top internodes of CoJ64 with maturity. SAI, being a major sucrose hydrolysing enzyme, was also monitored with end‐point PCR expression in internode tissues of CoJ64 and BO91, with higher expression of SAI in BO91 at early crop stages. Enzyme inhibitors, e.g. manganese chloride (Mn⁺⁺), significantly suppressed expression of SAI in both early‐ and late‐maturing varieties. Present findings enhance understanding of critical sucrose metabolic gene expression in sugarcane varieties differing in content and time of peak sucrose storage. Thus, through employing these genes, improvement of sugarcane sucrose content is possible.     

Ovarian follicular activity and hormonal profile during estrous cycle in cows: the development of 2 versus 3 waves

Most estrous cycles in cows consist of 2 or 3 waves of follicular activity. Waves of ovarian follicular development comprise the growth of dominant follicles some of which become ovulatory and the others are anovulatory. Ovarian follicular activity in cows during estrous cycle was studied with a special reference to follicular waves and the circulating concentrations of estradiol and progesterone. Transrectal ultrasound examination was carried out during 14 interovulatory intervals in 7 cows. Ovarian follicular activity was recorded together with assessment of serum estradiol and progesterone concentrations. Three-wave versus two-wave interovulatory intervals was observed in 71.4% of cows. The 3-wave interovulatory intervals differed from 2-wave intervals in: 1) earlier emergence of the dominant follicles, 2) longer in length, and 3) shorter interval from emergence to ovulation. There was a progressive increase in follicular size and estradiol production during growth phase of each wave. A drop in estradiol concentration was observed during the static phase of dominant anovulatory follicles. The size of the ovulatory follicle was always greater and produced higher estradiol compared with the anovulatory follicle. In conclusion, there was a predominance of 3-wave follicular activity that was associated with an increase in length of interovulatory intervals. A dominant anovulatory follicle during its static phase may initiate the emergence of a subsequent wave. Follicular size and estradiol concentration may have an important role in controlling follicular development and in determining whether an estrous cycle will have 2 or 3-waves.     

Role of nitric oxide in liver ischemia and reperfusion injury

The present study was designed to assess the role of endothelial cell and inducible nitric oxide synthase (eNOS, iNOS)-derived NO in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and tissue injury in a murine model of hepatic I/R. Forty-five min of partial hepatic ischemia and 3 h of reperfusion resulted in a significant increase in liver injury as assessed by serum alanine aminotransferase and histopathology which occurred in the absence of neutrophil infiltration. Both iNOS and eNOS deficient mice exhibited enhanced liver injury when compared to their wild type (wt) controls again in the absence of neutrophil infiltration. Interestingly, message expression for both tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 12 (IL-12) were enhanced in eNOS, but not iNOS-deficient mice at 1 h post-ischemia when compared to their wt controls. In addition, eNOS message expression appeared to be up-regulated between 1 and 3 h ofreperfusion in wt mice while iNOS deficient mice exhibited substantial increases at I but not 3 h. Taken together, these data demonstrate the ability of eNOS and iNOS to protect the post-ischemic liver, however their mechanisms of action may be very different.     

Glucosylated N-acetyllactosamine O-antigen chain in the lipopolysaccharide from Helicobacter pylori strain UA861

The O-antigen chain from the lipopolysaccharide of Helicobacter pylori strain UA861 was determined to be composed of an elongated type 2 N - acetyllactosamine backbone, -[-->3)-beta-D-Gal-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcNAc-(1- ]n-->, with approximately half of the GlcNAc units carrying a terminal alpha-d-Glc residue at the O -6 position. The O-chain of H.pylori UA861 was terminated by a N -acetyllactosamine [beta-D-Gal-(1-->4)-beta-D- GlcNAc] (LacNAc) epitope and did not express terminal Lewis X or Lewis Y blood-group determinants as previously found in other H.pylori strains. The absence of terminal Lewis X and Lewis Y blood-group epitopes and the replacement of Fuc by Glc as a side chain in the O- chain of H.pylori UA861 represents yet another type of lipopolysaccharide structure from H.pylori species. These structural differences in H.pylori lipopolysaccharide molecules carry implications with regard to possible different pathogenic events between strains and respective hosts.      

Local intracerebral implants of estrogen masculinize some aspects of the zebra finch song system

The song system of zebra finches is sexually dimorphic: the volumes of the song control nuclei and the neurons within these nuclei are larger in males. The song system of hatching female zebra finches is masculinized by systemic treatment with estrogen. We investigated the locus of this estrogen action by using microimplants of estradiol benzoate (EB). We implanted female zebra finch nestlings 10–13 days old with Silastic pellets containing approximately 2 μg EB at one of several sites: near the higher vocal center (HVC), in the brain distant from HVC, or in the periphery either under the skin of the breast or in the peritoneal cavity. Controls were either unimplanted or implanted near HVC with Silastic pellets without hormone. The brains were fixed by perfusion at 60 days, and the volumes of the song control regions as well as the sizes of individual neurons were measured. Neurons in HVC were lerger (more masculine) in the HVC-implanted group than in other groups, which did not differ among themselves. The size of neurons in the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA) and the lateral magnocellular nucleus ofthe neostriatum (lMAN) were inversely correlated with the distance of the EB pellet to HVC; neurons in RA and lMAN were larger when the EB pellets were closer to HVC. This result suggests that implants near HVC were at or near a site of estrogen action. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that localized brain implants of estrogen cause morphological masculinization in any species. 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.