Glyoxylate Cycle Enzymes in Peroxisomes Isolated from Petals of Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.) during Senescence

The activities of the two unique enzymes of the glyoxylate cycle,isocitrate lyase (EC 4.1.3.1 [EC] ) and malate synthase (EC 4.1.3.2 [EC] ),were undetectable in petals of pumpkin (Cucurbita sp. AmakuriNankin) until the end of blooming, but they appeared duringsenescence. The activity of catalase (EC 1.11.1.6 [EC] ) increased,glycolate oxidase (EC 1.1.3.1 [EC] ) activity did not change, whilehydroxypyruvate reductase (EC 1.1.1.81 [EC] ) activity peaked at fullblooming stage and declined thereafter. After fractionationof cellular organelles on a sucrose density gradient, we detectedisocitrate lyase and malate synthase activities in peroxisomalfractions only from petals at the senescing stage. Northernblot analysis revealed that malate synthase mRNA increased duringpetal senescence. Citrate synthase (EC 4.1.3.7 [EC] ) and malate dehydrogenase(EC 1.1.1.37 [EC] ) activities were also present, while aconitase(EC 4.2.1.3 [EC] ) was not detectable in peroxisomal fractions. Moreoverthe presence of 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.35 [EC] )and urate oxidase (EC 1.7.3.3 [EC] ) in the peroxisomal fractionsfrom senescing petals indicates that peroxisomes could be involvedboth in the ß-oxidation pathway and in the purinecatabolism during petal senescence. (Received May 25, 1991; Accepted September 25, 1991)     

Persistence of the control of the fluctuations of heart rate in the anesthetized and pithed adult rat. Effect of enteraminergic drugs]

Spontaneous fluctuations in heart rate were analyzed by spectral analysis in the ether anesthetized and pithed adult rat. In order to investigate the changes in the spectral pattern of the fluctuations, the selective 5HT-2 and -3 isoreceptor blockers ritanserin and BRL 43694A were used. In both the experimental conditions, ritanserin blockade led to dose-dependent increased fluctuations in HR low and high frequencies. In both the anesthetized and pithed rats, the low frequency range HR fluctuations were drastically reduced by BRL 43694A.     

Multivariate analysis of metastasis risk in laryngeal carcinoma. II. Immune response

The presence of inflammatory reaction, plasma cells, and eosinophils in peritumoral connective tissue and in neoplastic stroma was evaluated with morphometrical method in 181 patients affected by laryngeal carcinoma. A logistic multiple regression model was applied making it with the use of an independent variable represented by the "infiltrating" or "expansive" types of tumor growth, in order to evaluate the probability of nodal metastatsis of each parameter. The results suggest an inverse correlationship between plasma cells and inflammatory infiltration and incidence of nodal metastatsis only in the comparison of the extreme conditions: those with scarce infiltration versus the ones with large infiltration. Inflammatory or plasmacellular infiltration may represent both a defense mechanism against cancer and an aspecific or allergic reaction. The eosinophilic infiltration shows no value in the prevention of nodal involvement.     

The chemical characterization of melanin contained in substantia nigra of human brain

The pigment of substantia nigra human brain has been extracted by a mild procedure consisting of washes with phosphate buffer, methanol and incubation with SDS-proteinase. Pyrolisis gas chromatography mass spectrometry infrared spectrometry, termogravimetric analysis and elemental analysis were the techniques used for the chemical characterization. An indole moiety bound to a sulfur containing amino acid and to palmitic acid were the main aspects found in the structure. The presence of a 7% inorganic component was observed. This probably contains Fe, Cu, Zn and Cr which are also relevant, for the formation and the role of melanin in substantia nigra neurons. The fatty acid moiety is chemically bound to the indole structure as it was not eliminated by repeated methanol washing. The same situation occurs for the sulfur containing gropu. Considering these data and the most abundant molecules present in substantia nigra the precursor of neuromelanin seems to be a cysteinyl-cethecol, to which is then bound a palmityl group.     

Saccharification and protein enrichment of sugar beet pulp byPleurotus florida

Summary Pleurotus florida was grown in submerged culture with different concentrations of sugar beet pulp with a view to its nutritional upgrading. Micelial growth, protein enrichment and dry weight loss of the solid residues of cultures, as well as the evolution of reducing sugars in the liquid medium, were followed for 14 days. A product with 45% (w/w) protein and a saccharification extent as high as 35% (w/w) were obtained after 7 days with 1% (w/v) sugar beet pulp.     

Isolation and partial characterization of a protein kinase NII from wheat germ chromatin

A protein kinase, type NII, has been purified from wheat germ chromatin. The enzyme, which uses both ATP and GTP as phosphoryl donors, catalyzes the phosphorylation of casein, phosvitin and E. coli RNA polymerase, but not of histone proteins. Polypeptide bands at 46 kDa, 37 kDa and 25 kDa were estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Autophosphorylation of the 25 kDa subunit was observed following incubation of the purified kinase with (-³²P)ATP and (-³²P)GTP.