Rheological studies of interphase adsorption layers of lysozyme at phase separation liquid boundaries]

Rheological studies of thin layers of biopolymers provide a principally new approach to the studies of the structure and functions of biomembranes. Rheological properties of interphase adsorption layers of lysozyme at different concentrations, temperatures and at the border with various carbohydrates. The values of moduli of fast elastic deformation E1s, slow elastic deformation E2s, equilibrium module of elasticity Es, viscosity of elastic aftereffect, plastic viscosity eta 0s and eta s for the interphase layers of lysozyme at liquid borders show that the interphase adsorption layers were solidlike, and the moduli of dimeric structure evaluated as volume ones correspond to the characteristics of normal elastomeres.     

A new species of Mesocoelium (Digenea: Mesocoeliidae) found in Rhinella marina (Amphibia: Bufonidae) from Brazilian Amazonia

Mesocoelium lanfrediaesp. nov. (Digenea: Mesocoeliidae) inhabits the small intestine of Rhinella marina (Amphibia: Bufonidae) and is described here, with illustrations provided by light, scanning electron microscopy and molecular approachs. M. lanfrediae sp. nov. presents the typical characteristics of the genus, but is morphometrically and morphologically different from the species described previously. The main diagnostic characteristics of M. lanfrediae sp. nov. are (i) seven pairs of regularly-distributed spherical papillae on the oral sucker, (ii) ventral sucker outlined by four pairs of papillae distributed in a uniform pattern and interspersed with numerous spines, which are larger at the posterior margin and (iii) small, rounded tegumentary papillae around the opening of the oral sucker, which are morphologically different from those of the oral sucker itself, some of which are randomly disposed in the ventrolateral tegumentary region of the anterior third of the body. Addionally, based on SSU rDNA, a phylogenetic analysis including Brachycoeliidae and Mesocoeliidae taxa available on GenBank established the close relationship between M. lanfrediae sp. nov. and Mesocoelium sp.     

Oxygen-induced Regulation of Na/K ATPase in cerebellar granule cells

Adjustment of the Na/K ATPase activity to changes in oxygen availability is a matter of survival for neuronal cells. We have used freshly isolated rat cerebellar granule cells to study oxygen sensitivity of the Na/K ATPase function. Along with transport and hydrolytic activity of the enzyme we have monitored alterations in free radical production, cellular reduced glutathione, and ATP levels. Both active K(+) influx and ouabain-sensitive inorganic phosphate production were maximal within the physiological pO(2) range of 3-5 kPa. Transport and hydrolytic activity of the Na/K ATPase was equally suppressed under hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions. The ATPase response to changes in oxygenation was isoform specific and limited to the alpha1-containing isozyme whereas alpha2/3-containing isozymes were oxygen insensitive. Rapid activation of the enzyme within a narrow window of oxygen concentrations did not correlate with alterations in the cellular ATP content or substantial shifts in redox potential but was completely abolished when NO production by the cells was blocked by l-NAME. Taken together our observations suggest that NO and its derivatives are involved in maintenance of high Na/K ATPase activity under physiological conditions.     

Immunochemical properties of a protective cross-reacting antigen of meningococci

The study of protective cross-reacting antigenic preparations isolated from meningococci of groups A and C in the blot immunoassay has shown the presence of a group of proteins with a molecular weight ranging from 23 to 31 KD and common for 8 tested serological groups of meningococci, gonococci and 4 nonpathogenic Neisseria species. The possible role of these structures as common Neisseria antigen in the formation of natural resistance to meningococcal infection is discussed.     

Auxotrophic mutants of the producer of the antibiotic mycoheptin Streptoverticillium mycoheptinicum

The lethal and mutagenic effects of N-nitrozo-N-methyl biuret (NMB), N-nitrozo-N-methyl urea (NMU) and UV light on Streptoverticillium mycoheptinicum, strains O883 and 852, were studied. The concentrations of NMB were 0.005, 0.1 and 0.25 per cent, the exposure time was 2, 4 and 6 hours. The concentration of NMU was 1 per cent and the exposure time was 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 hours. The dose of UV light was 2000 erg/mm2. When the spores of Streptoverticillium mycoheptinicum, strain O883, were treated with NMB, the frequency of auxotrophic mutants increased from 0.63 to 3.4 per cent with an increase of the mutagen concentration from 0.05 to 0.25 per cent and the exposure time from 2 to 6 hours. More than 80 auxotrophic mutants were selected. When Streptoverticillium mycoheptinicum, strain 852, was treated with NMU, the frequency of auxotrophic mutants ranged from 0.5 to 2.4 per cent. Fifty-seven auxotrophic mutants were selected. The majority of the auxotrophic mutants selected with the use of NMB and NMU was unstable. Exposure of Streptoverticillium mycoheptinicum, strains 852, 10/69 Met and 54/100 Lys to UV light resulted in formation of groups of polyauxotrophic mutants.     

Antigenic polysaccharides of bacteria of the genus Shigella. The structure of the polysaccharide chain of Shigella boydii type 14

A specific acidic polysaccharide has been isolated from the Shigella boydii type 14 antigenic lipopolysaccharide after mild hydrolysis followed by chromatography on Sephadex G-50. The polysaccharide consists of the D-glucuronic acid, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose and D-galactose residues in the ratio 1:1:3. From the results of methylation analysis and partial acid hydrolysis, the structure of the repeating unit of the specific polysaccharide was deduced as follows: (-6DGalp alpha 1-4DGlcAp beta 1-6DGalp beta 1-4DGalp beta 1-4DGlcNAcp beta 1-)n. The 13C NMR spectra of native and carboxyl-reduced polysaccharides, as well as of oligosaccharides produced by partial acid hydrolysis fully confirmed the proposed structure. The approach was suggested to determine the type of substitution of uronic acid moieties in polysaccharide chain by use of chromato-mass-spectrometry of acetylated methyl esters of partially methylated aldonic acids. Serological characteristics of Sh. boydii LPS type 14 and its modified derivatives are discussed.     

Phosphorylation and biosynthesis of high molecular weight proteins of tumor nuclear matrix

INTRODUCTIONAsearlyasin1948wehavefr8CtionatedisolatednucleifromnormalandtumorcellsbyextractionwithiMNaCIanddilutealkali[1].Thenuclearresiduewasthenstudiedmorethoroughly[2,3].Lateron,sillillarproteinousnuclearresidueswereisolatedbyotherworkers[46]andasstud…