Changes in cell volume of bacteria and heterotrophic nanoflagellates in a hypereutrophic pond

Changes in cell volume of planktonic bacteria and heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF) were examined in a hypereutrophic pond from April to October, 1997. There were marked changes in the abundance of bacteria, HNF and ciliates and in protistan bacterivory during this period. The cell volume of free-living bacteria (0.121 ± 0.031 m³, mean ± SD) was large relative to that reported in the literature. The cell volumes of HNF was 71.1 ± 24.8 m³. Both cell volumes did not follow a seasonal trend. The dominant size class of bacteria was seasonally variable, whereas density of filamentous bacteria was relatively high between August and September. Biomass of filamentous bacteria accounted for up to 33.6% of total bacterial biomass. A correlation analysis for cell volume of bacteria and HNF, density of filamentous bacteria and some microbial variates was performed. The positive correlations detected (p<0.05) were between density of bacteria and cell volume of HNF, and between density of filamentous bacteria and cell volume of HNF.     

Lysosomal cysteine protease, cathepsin B, is targeted to lysosomes by the mannose 6-phosphate-independent pathway in rat hepatocytes: site-specific phosphorylation in oligosaccharides of the proregion

Cathepsin B, a lysosomal cysteine protease, is synthesized as a glycoprotein with two N-linked oligosaccharide chains, one of which is in the propeptide region while the other is in the mature region. When cultured rat hepatocytes were labeled with [(32)P]phosphate, (32)P-labeled cathepsin B was immunoprecipitated only in the proform from cell lysates and medium. Either Endo H or alkaline phosphatase treatment of (32)P-labeled procathepsin B demonstrated the acquisition of a mannose 6-phosphate (Man 6-P) residue on high mannose type oligosaccharides. To identify the site of phosphorylation, immunoisolated (35)S- or (32)P-labeled procathepsin B was incubated with purified lysosomal cathepsin D, since cathepsin D cleaves 48 amino acid residues from the N-terminus of procathepsin B, in which one N-linked oligosaccharide chain was also included [Kawabata, T. et al. (1993) J. Biochem. 113, 389-394]. Treatment of intracellular (35)S-labeled procathepsin B with a molecular mass of 39-kDa with cathepsin D resulted in the production of the 31-kDa intermediate form, but the (32)P-label incorporated into procathepsin B disappeared after treatment with cathepsin D. These results indicate that the phosphorylation of procathepsin B is restricted to an oligosaccharide chain present in the propeptide region. Interestingly, cathepsin B sorting to lysosomes was not inhibited by NH(4)Cl treatment and about 90% of the intracellular procathepsin B initially phosphorylated was secreted into the medium without being dephosphorylated intracellularly, and did not bind significantly to cation-independent-Man 6-P receptor, suggesting the failure of Man 6-P-dependent transport of procathepsin B to lysosomes. Additionally, about 50% of the newly synthesized (35)S-labeled cathepsin B was retained in the cells in mature forms consisting of a 29-kDa single chain form and a 24-kDa two chain form, while part of the procathepsin B was associated with membranes in a Man 6-P-independent manner. Taken together, these results show that in rat hepatocytes, cathepsin B is targeted to lysosomes by an alternative mechanism(s) other than the Man 6-P-dependent pathway.     

Transferrin receptor 2-alpha supports cell growth both in iron-chelated cultured cells and in vivo

In most cells, transferrin receptor (TfR1)-mediated endocytosis is a major pathway for cellular iron uptake. We recently cloned the human transferrin receptor 2 (TfR2) gene, which encodes a second receptor for transferrin (Kawabata, H., Yang, R., Hirama, T., Vuong, P. T., Kawano, S., Gombart, A. F., and Koeffler, H. P. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 20826-20832). In the present study, the regulation of TfR2 expression and function was investigated. A select Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-TRVb cell line that does not express either TfR1 or TfR2 was stably transfected with either TfR1 or TfR2-alpha cDNA. TfR2-alpha-expressing cells had considerably lower affinity for holotransferrin when compared with TfR1-expressing CHO cells. Interestingly, in contrast to TfR1, expression of TfR2 mRNA in K562 cells was not up-regulated by desferrioxamine (DFO), a cell membrane-permeable iron chelator. In MG63 cells, expression of TfR2 mRNA was regulated in the cell cycle with the highest expression in late G(1) phase and no expression in G(0)/G(1). DFO reduced cell proliferation and DNA synthesis of CHO-TRVb control cells, whereas it had little effect on TfR2-alpha-expressing CHO cells when measured by clonogenic and cell cycle analysis. In addition, CHO cells that express TfR2-alpha developed into tumors in nude mice whereas CHO control cells did not. In conclusion, TfR2 expression may be regulated by the cell cycle rather than cellular iron status and may support cell growth both in vitro and in vivo.     

Orally active cephalosporins. Part 2: synthesis, structure-activity relationships and oral absorption of cephalosporins having a C-3 pyridyl side chain

A series of 7beta-[(Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-hydroxyiminoacetamid o]cephalosporins having a pyridine ring connected through various spacer moieties at the C-3 position was designed and synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial activity and oral absorption in rats. All compounds showed potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, whereas antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria was markedly influenced by the spacer moiety between the pyridine and cephem nucleus. Oral absorption was influenced by the position of the pyridine nitrogen as well as by the spacer moiety. Among these compounds, FR86830 (14), having a 4-pyridylmethylthio moiety at the C-3 position, showed the most well balanced activity and moderate oral absorption.     

Thermal C-glycosylation of D-glucal with trimethylsilyl cyanide

The treatment of 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-D-glucal and unprotected D-glucal with trimethylsilyl cyanide, under thermal conditions in the absence of catalyst, afforded the corresponding 2,3-unsaturated glycosyl cyanides in high yield.     

Growth and maturation of the 'autumn-fruiting type' of Sargassum horneri (Fucales, Phaeophyta) and comparisons with the 'spring-fruiting type'

The growth and maturation period of the autumn-fruiting population ot Sargassum horneri C. Agardh (Phaeophyta) was investigated in Hiroshima Bay, Seto Inland Sea. Surveyed traits were compared to those of the spring-fruiting type and ecological features of this species were discussed. The annual lifetime of the autumn-fruiting population could be divided into four phases according to the daily increase in thalius length:phase I from December to May (increase in length < 0.1 mm/ day), phase II from May to September (= 0.3–1.0 mm/ day), phase Ml (from September to December > 10 mm/day) and phase IV which was the senescence phase from December to March. Receptacle formation‘as observed in November and gamete release from November to February. Conversely, the spring-fruiting type germinated in April and exhibited swifter growth in its early stage of development than the autumn-fruiting type. Rapid increase in thalius iength in autumn was common in both fruiting types, although the spring-fruiting type continued to grow during winter. Receptacle formation of the spring-fruiting type started in February but gamete release was not observed until April and May. The difference in life-history patterns of both types of S. horneri was in the overwintering period. The autumn-fruiting type spent that season as germi-ings or as young plants exhibiting slow-paced growth, while the spring-fruiting type overvwintered as adult thal-li preparing for gamete release in spring.     

Glucose uptake enhancing activity of puerarin and the role of C-glucoside suggested from activity of related compounds

Chemical treatment of diabetes mellitus is widely studied and controlling of blood glucose level is the main course of therapy. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance is the major problem. An isoflavone C-glucoside, puerarin (1), is known to enhance glucose uptake into the insulin sensitive cell and is thought to be a candidate for treatment of diabetes mellitus. We synthesized 1 and several derivatives to apply for the structure–activity relationship study. The result against 3T3-L1 adipocyte indicated that the C-glucoside part of 1 is unconcerned in its activity when tested in vitro and the main structure responsible for its activity was the isoflavone moiety.