Induction of spherule formation in Physarum polycephalum by polyols

A method has been developed for inducing spherule formation (spherulation) in the myxomycete Physarum polycephalum by transferring the culture to synthetic medium containing 0.5 m mannitol or other polyols. This morphogenetic process occurred within 12 to 35 hr after the inducer was added. The mature spherules existed as distinct morphogenetic units, in contrast to the clusters of spherules formed during starvation. Ninety per cent of the spherules germinated by 24 hr in synthetic medium. The changes in the synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and protein during plasmodial growth, spherulation, and germination of spherules are described. When spherule formation was completed, RNA, protein, and DNA decreased, compared with the values at the beginning of the conversion. The incorporation of (3)H-uridine into trichloroacetic acid-insoluble material was different in each of these periods, and this incorporation was sensitive to actinomycin D. The amount of glycogen increased during growth, whereas it decreased during spherulation. (14)C-glucose could be taken up by the cells in the presence of the inducer, and mannitol could not replace glucose as a source of energy. The mode of action of mannitol and its mechanism of induction are discussed.     

Identity of a cytosolic neutral cholesterol esterase in rat liver with the bile salt stimulated cholesterol esterase in pancreas

A neutral cholesterol esterase has been purified to homogeneity from the cytosolic fraction of rat liver. The 105,000 x g supernatant fraction of rat liver was applied to a DEAE-cellulose column to isolate a partially purified fraction of hepatic cholesterol esterase. Immunoblot analysis of the partially purified liver fraction with the anti-porcine pancreatic cholesterol esterase IgG demonstrated a single band with a molecular weight of 67,000. The hepatic protein was then isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography technique using a column constructed with antibodies prepared against the pancreatic cholesterol esterase. Characterization of the hepatic cholesterol esterase revealed that the hepatic enzyme shared antigenic epitopes with the pancreatic cholesterol esterase and was similarly activated by addition of bile salt such as taurocholate. Moreover, amino-terminal sequencing analysis of the hepatic cholesterol esterase showed an identical sequence with the pancreatic enzyme. Taken together, these results showed that the cholesterol esterases in the liver and the pancreas are very similar and possibly identical proteins.     

Isolation by affinity chromatography of a cholinergic proteolipid from Nucleus caudatus.

A cholinergic proteolipid fraction (i.e. a hydrophobic lipoprotein) was separated from the $\text{n. caudatus}$ of the cow, using affinity chromatography with the lipophilic gel Sephadex LH-20 and p-phenyltrimethylamonium as the active group. High affinity binding studies showed that only the specific fraction, desorbed after an acetylcholine (or acid) pulse, and corresponding to 0,72% of the proteolipids, is the one that binds the cholinergic ligands. The binding of (³H)atropine and (¹⁴C)d-tubocurarine demonstrated that there are 814 picomoles/g fresh tissue of muscarinic sites and only 76 picomoles/g of nicotinic sites. The specific radioactivity for (³H)atropine is 10,000 nmoles/g protein, suggesting a high degree of purification of the specific cholinergic proteolipid.     

Value of prednimustine in treating non Hodgkin's lymphomas of favourable histological type

24 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of low-grade malignancy (stage III and IV) were treated either with a single drug (prednimustine) or with combination chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone). Response to therapy was similar in both groups. Prednimustine induced complete remission in 6 from 13 patients, while in that group treated with combination chemotherapy a complete remission was recorded in 4 from 11 patients. Both regimens were well tolerated. Therapy with prednimustin has an advantage in oral administration enabling it to be used in out-patient practice.