Properties of membrane-bound sialyltransferase from rana temporaria liver]

It was demonstrated that microsomal membranes from frog liver contain at least two different sialyltransferases involved in the synthesis of alpha 2 leads to 3 and alpha 2 leads to 6 oligosaccharide isomers. Studies on acceptor specificity of the sialyltransferase system with respect to low molecular acceptors revealed its similarity to the mammalian sialyltransferase system. However, sharp distinctions were observed in sialylation of mammalian glycoproteins. It was assumed that that the disaccharide unit of the acceptor oligosaccharide chain is a structural element, which in necessary but not sufficient for glycoprotein recognition by sialyltransferases.     

Generation of superoxides during the interaction of melanins with oxygen

The rate of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction by dihydroxyphenylalanine-melanin, pheomelanin and retinal pigment epithelium melanosomes under aerobic conditions (pH 7.4) is low both in the dark and upon illumination, but increases drastically in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Under these conditions, the light insignificantly stimulates NBT reduction (1.3-fold). The reaction is effectively inhibited by superoxide dismutase. This suggests that superoxide anions (O2-. are formed as intermediate reaction products in the course of NBT reduction by melanins. At alkaline values of pH (greater than or equal to 9.0), the O2-.-dependent reduction of NBT can also take place in the absence of CTAB. In contrast with oxidation of photoreduced riboflavin, the melanin oxidation by O2 cannot induce lipid peroxidation. It is concluded that O2-. generation via melanin oxidation of melanosomes occurs only under non-physiological conditions and can hardly take place in vivo.     

Changes in the activity of glyoxylate cycle enzymes of yeast during hydrocarbon nutrition]

Six strains of Candida guillermondii of different productivity showed a higher isocitrate lyase and malate dehydrogenase activity of cell-free extracts when grown on paraffin than when grown on glucose. In most cases isocitrate dehydrogenase activity was higher on glucose than on paraffin. A positive correlation between isocitrate activity and growth rate was found from studies of the strains of varying growth rate and the cultures cultivated under different conditions (nitrogen content and the presence or absence of biotin or autolysate in the medium).