Fluorescence-microscopical demonstration of a population of gastro-intestinal nerve fibres with a selective affinity for Quinacrine

Summary A population of nerve fibres in the gastro-intestinal tract of mice showing a high affinity for quinacrine was revealed by fluorescence microscopy. Similar results were obtained in rats and guinea pigs. Whole-mounts of sheets of the smooth muscle layer following incubation in 10^-6-10^-7 M quinacrine for 15–60 min revealed fine fluorescent varicose nerve fibers in the myenteric plexus of Auerbach both around nerve cell bodies and in the interconnecting strands. Many fibers were also present between the strands of the plexus, especially running parallel to the circular muscle layer. Such fibers were not seen in similarly quinacrine-incubated irides. A proportion of the cell bodies in Auerbach's plexus also showed quinacrine accumulation. These cells were apparently smaller neurons, sometimes with fluorescent processes. Intraperitoneal injections of quinacrine failed to demonstrate nerve fibers, but some cell bodies in Auerbach's plexus were positive. Subsequent paraformaldehyde treatment for monoamine visualization showed persistent adrenergic nerve terminals in the intestine and iris. These nerves seemed to be fewer and had a more yellow fluorescence than normally. The identity of the quinacrine-positive fibers is discussed with respect to recent suggestions that purinergic, substance P, enkephalin, and somatosin-containing nerves, in addition to adrenergic and cholinergic nerves, are present in the gut wall.Supported by the Swedish Medical Research Council (04X-03185). Magnus Bergvalls Stiftelse and Karolinska Institutets Fonder. For generous gifts of Mepacrine we thank Winthrop, Skärholmen, Stockholm, Sweden. The skilful technical assistance of Miss Gerd Boetius and Miss Maud Eriksson is gratefully acknowledged     

Changes in active transport, intracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate levels, macromolecular syntheses, and glycolysis in an energy-uncoupled mutant of Escherichia coli.

The temperature-sensitive Escherichia coli mutant ecfts metC (Lieberman and Hong, 1974), previously shown to be defective in the coupling of metabolic energy to active transport, is also altered in a wide variety of cellular activities at the nonpermissive temperature. These alterations include a lowering of intracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate levels, an alteration of glucose metabolism such that large quantities of pyruvate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate are excreted into the medium, excretion of accumulated potassium ions, and a cessation of deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid, and phospholipid synthesis. Since these effects closely mimic the action of colicins E1 and K on E. coli cells, the possibility that the ecf gene product is the primary biochemical target for these colicins is discussed.     

The relationship between sodium excretion and renin secretion by the perfused kidney.

The effect of altered tubular sodium reabsorption on renin secretion (RSR) was examined under conditions in which other factors influencing renin release could be controlled or excluded. To do this, isolated canine kidneys were perfused at constant pressure with blood circulating from donor animals. Volume expansion or hemorrhage of the donor dogs produced large changes in the animal's blood pressure, renal function, sodium excretion (UNaV), and RSR, but were without effect on renal hemodynamics, UNaV, or RSR in the perfused kidney. Hemodilution without volume expansion, resulted in hypotension, decreased UNaV and increased RSR in the donor dogs, and increased UNaV and suppressed RSR in the perfused kidney. These effects of hemodilution in the perfused kidney were partially reversed when plasma protein concentration was restored to control levels with hyperoncotic albumin, and, overall, there was a significant inverse relationship between electrolyte excretion and RSR. These results provide new evidence for the hypothesis that the rate at which sodium is delivered to the macula densa is an important determinant of the rate of renin secretion.     

A highly efficient solid-phase radioimmune assay for a clostridial toxin.

A solid-phase radioimmune assay was developed for the epsilon toxin from Clostridium perfringens type D. The assay is highly efficient, allowing for use in quantitating the antigen in crude as well as purified preparations of material.     

SARS-CoV-2 tropism,entry, replication,and propagation: Considerations for drug discovery and development

Since the initial report of the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) emanating from Wuhan, China, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally. While the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection are not completely understood, there appears to be a wide spectrum of disease ranging from mild symptoms to severe respiratory distress, hospitalization, and mortality. There are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatments for COVID-19 aside from remdesivir; early efforts to identify efficacious therapeutics for COVID-19 have mainly focused on drug repurposing screens to identify compounds with antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in cellular infection systems. These screens have yielded intriguing hits, but the use of nonhuman immortalized cell lines derived from non-pulmonary or gastrointestinal origins poses any number of questions in predicting the physiological and pathological relevance of these potential interventions. While our knowledge of this novel virus continues to evolve, our current understanding of the key molecular and cellular interactions involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection is discussed in order to provide a framework for developing the most appropriate in vitro toolbox to support current and future drug discovery efforts.     

Biological Methane Oxidation: Regulation,Biochemistry, and Active Site Structure of Particulate Methane Monooxygenase

Particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) is a threesubunit integral membrane enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of methane to methanol. Although pMMO is the predominant methane oxidation catalyst in nature, it has proved difficult to isolate, and most questions regarding its molecular structure, active site composition, chemical mechanism, and genetic regulation remain unanswered. Copper ions are believed to play a key role in both pMMO regulation and catalysis, and there is some evidence that the enzyme contains iron as well. A number of research groups have solubilized and purified or partially purified pMMO. These preparations have been characterized by biochemical and biophysical methods. In addition, aspects of methane monooxygenase gene regulation and copper accumulation in methanotrophs have been studied. This review summarizes for the first time the often controversial pMMO literature, focusing on recent progress and highlighting unresolved issues.