Pseudo-inhibitors of neutrophil superoxide production: evidence that soybean-derived polypeptides are superoxide dismutases

We have previously reported the purification of polypeptides from soybean which are potent inhibitors of superoxide production by human neutrophils. We now report that neither oxygen uptake nor hydrogen peroxide production by stimulated neutrophils is affected by these inhibitors. Furthermore, the E-1 and E-3 polypeptides inhibit ferricytochrome c reduction by a xanthine oxidase superoxide generation system. The inhibitory activity of E-3 in the model system is blocked by 1 mM KCN while E-1 is only slightly cyanide sensitive. Atomic absorption analysis of E-1 and E-3 polypeptides reveal copper in the latter and manganese in the former. Thus, E-3 is a copper-containing superoxide dismutase while E-1 appears to be a manganese-containing superoxide dismutase.     

Involvement of histidine and tryptophan residues of glutamine binding protein in the interaction with membrane-bound components of the glutamine transport system of Escherichia coli

We treated the glutamine binding protein with diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC) and N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) to modify respectively the sole histidine and tryptophan residues and examined the effect of these modifications on the ability of the binding protein to bind glutamine as well as the ability to restore glutamine transport in membrane vesicles of Escherichia coli. Under the conditions used, both DEPC and NBS markedly inhibited the ability to restore glutamine transport in vesicles without any significant effect on glutamine binding. Moreover, saturating quantities of glutamine had no protective effect on the inactivation of the binding protein by DEPC or NBS. Fluorometric measurement and amino acid analysis indicate that the inactivation of the binding protein in restoring vesicle transport by NBS can be attributed to the oxidation of a single tryptophan residue. Similar analysis and the inability of hydroxylamine to reverse the effect of DEPC indicate that the effects of DEPC can probably be attributed to alterations of the sole histidine and/or one or more lysine residues of the binding protein. We conclude that the glutamine binding protein possesses at least two largely nonoverlapping functional domains, one responsible for glutamine binding and the other for the interaction with the other components of the glutamine transport system.     

Typing of Nontypable Staphylococci by Lysogeny

Strains of coagulase-positive staphylococci which were nontypable with the routine typing set of phages could be typed by lysogeny with phage-propagating strains as indicators and with ultraviolet induction. About 10% of the strains could be typed without induction. About 36% of them could be typed by this method when ultraviolet irradiation was used as an inducing agent. The phage groups from which the majority of the nontypable staphylococci originated were easily identified by this method of typing.     

Leukocytic Hypersensitivity in Experimental Group A Streptococcal Infections

Skin hypersensitivity to streptococcal antigens was demonstrated in 15 New Zealand red rabbits that were sensitized by intracutaneous injections with group A streptococci, and leukocytic hypersensitivity, as determined by in vitro inhibition of leukocyte migration, was demonstrated in 11 of the rabbits. The skin hypersensitivity persisted for at least 8 weeks, whereas the leukocytic hypersensitivity generally waned rather rapidly. The leukocytic hypersensitivity reappeared in the infected rabbits that had developed this hypersensitivity. However, it did not reappear on reimmunization with living streptococci of the type originally employed, whereas it did reappear with living but not heat-killed streptococci of another M type.     

Preparation of anti-inhibitor serum and its effect on the multiplication of influenza virus

Antiserum был подготовлен противингибитор вируса haemagglutination (IVH)одна из эмбриона chorioallantoic мембр анныепутем иммун изации морских св инокЭто анти-инги битора в сыворотке заблокирован ингибирование IVH из chorioallantoicмембран в haemagglutination испытанияно ника кого влияния на ре цепторы эритроци товСыворотке кро] ви не влияет рост chorioallantoic мембраны клет ок инет нейтрализ овать воздействи е на вирус гриппа Она снизилась спо собность chorioallantoic мембр ан для adsorb вируса гри ппа, а также степен ь размножения вир усав такого рода тканиАвторы хоте ли бы поблагодари ть г-н Г. Ruttkay-Ne -палубе и для проведения эле ктрофореза меру ния.     

Islet-cell Carcinoma (Zollinger—Ellison Syndrome) with Fulminating Adrenocortical Hyperfunction and Hypokalemia

The production of ACTH-like material by tumours arising in non-endocrine tissue may initiate severe adrenocortical hyperfunction. The pathogenesis and clinical and laboratory features of Cushing''s syndrome associated with such tumours are characteristic. The autonomous production by the tumour of ACTH-like material cannot be suppressed by exogenous corticoids. The onset of clinical symptoms is rapid; muscle wasting, general weakness, thirst and peripheral edema predominate, and the classical signs of Cushing''s syndrome may be absent. High levels of plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and 17-ketosteroids, usually with normal levels of urinary aldosterone, commonly occur. Hypokalemic alkalosis unresponsive to replacement therapy may cause death. In the case reported herein, the intriguing possibility exists that two hormone-like substances were produced by the primary growth and its metastases: one, ACTH-like, to account for the adrenal hyperplasia and Cushing''s syndrome; and another, gastrin-like, giving rise to the ulcerogenic diathesis.