Nonvitellogenic female protein in Musca domestica

During vitellogenesis in Musca domestica, a major hemolymph protein, in addition to vitellogenin, appears preferentially in females. This protein is synthesized by the adult fat bodies, secreted into the hemolymph, and is not taken up by the ovaries during vitellogenesis. We have designated this protein nonvitellogenic female protein (NVFP). It is composed of only one type of polypeptide (M_r=70,000) and occurs in two different forms. Synthesis of NVFP is induced by a protein diet, attaining maximum concentrations in females at the middle of the gonotrophic cycle. In males its maximum concentration never surpasses 10% of the concentration in females. The quantitative variation of the NVFP is cyclic and coincident with the gonotrophic cycles of Musca domestica.     

CAP 37, a 37 kD human neutrophil granule cationic protein shares homology with inflammatory proteinases

We have previously shown that a major granule-associated cationic protein CAP 37 (Mr = 37 kD) derived from human PMN is a monocyte-specific chemoattractant. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of this novel chemotactic protein shares significant homology with a number of inflammatory molecules with protease activity including elastase and cathepsin G. However, a critical substitution of a serine for a histidine at position 41, results in its lack of serine protease activity.     

Iron deficiency in an area of Bolivia and high prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis

Between November and December 1987, 201 subjects from three communities of the Cordillera Province, Santa Cruz Department, South-East Bolivia (Camiri, Boyuibe, and Gutierrez) were examined for serum iron levels. Sixty-three (31.3%) were iron deficient. There were no significant differences between males and females (37.2% and 26.9%, respectively) and among the three localities studied. Iron deficiency was highest in the 3- to 9-year-old age group and lowest in the 30- to 39-year-old group. Considering the prevalence in the same localities of infections by hookworms, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Trichostrongylus, it is suggested that hookworms and possibly other intestinal parasites may be an important cause of the observed iron deficiency.     

The 56 kDa protein of human genital skin fibroblasts is identical to that radiolabelled by [3H]dihydrotestosterone 17 beta-bromoacetate

Analysis of soluble proteins from human genital skin fibroblasts by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis reveals an abundant protein doublet of mol. wt 56,000 with isoelectric points (pI) of 6.7 and 6.5. This protein is absent in non-genital skin fibroblasts as well as in genital skin fibroblasts of most patients with complete forms of androgen insensitivity. The protein specifically binds androgen. A protein of similar estimated molecular weight (58,000) from human genital skin fibroblasts has recently been found to be covalently radiolabelled by the affinity ligand dihydrotestosterone 17 beta-bromoacetate (DHT-BA). In the present study these proteins have been found to be indistinguishable on one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Antibodies raised against the 56 kDa pI 6.7/6.5 protein also recognized the protein covalently radiolabelled by DHT-BA. A third protein of estimated mol. wt 59,000 has been found to be associated with several steroid hormone receptor complexes but has no known ligand binding activity. This protein was found to be clearly separable from the 56/58 kDa protein on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis as it has a more acidic pI of approximately 5.4. Furthermore, antibodies against the 59 kDa protein do not recognize the 56 kDa species, and vice versa.     

An antibody against a CFTR-derived synthetic peptide, incorporated into living submandibular cells, inhibits beta-adrenergic stimulation of mucin secretion.

An antibody raised against a peptide in the first nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) of CFTR [1], incorporated into intact rat submandibular acini by hypotonic swelling, inhibited beta-adrenergic stimulated mucin secretion, without affecting cyclic AMP rise. The data are the first to show that a CFTR-antibody-containing cell results in defective stimulation of mucin secretion, as is seen in CF cells, and that this can be reversed by an excessive increase in cyclic AMP.     

Substance P affects the GABAergic system in the hypothalamo-pituitary axis

In the present work we examined the effect of the neutralization of endogenous substance P by the administration of an anti-substance P serum (ASPS) on GABA concentration in the anterior pituitary in hyperprolactinemic conditions induced by 5-hydroxytryptophan or by grafting anterior pituitaries. ASPS reduced the increase in the anterior pituitary GABA concentration induced by hyperprolactinemia. In vitro experiments showed that substance P inhibited K⁺-evoked GABA efflux from hypothalamic fragments and decreased GABA concentration in the anterior pituitary but ASPS increased it. Our results demonstrate that substance P modifies hypothalamic GABA release and anterior pituitary GABA concentration and suggest that an interaction exists between substance P and GABA.     

Variable influence of ferric and cupric ions on Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains used in asymmetric organic synthesis

Summary Fe (III) and Cu (II) each at 50 M in four commercial strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae induced an increase of NAD(P)⁺ reduction in one strain (Turkish), but two others (Chilean and Brazilian), the presence of Fe(III) and/or Cu(II) diminished NAD(P)⁺ reduction presumably due to free radicais formation inside these living cells. Suprisingly, in the American strain, Fe(III) induced a decrease and Cu (II) an increase of NAD(P)⁺ reduction.     

Seasonal variability in mercury inputs into the Ria de Aveiro,Portugal

Water, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediments were collected from the Esteiro de Estarreja (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal), which receives considerable quantities of waste mercury from a chlor-alkali plant. Dissolved and particulate Hg concentrations in the effluent ranged between 4 –167 g I^–1 and 141–3144 g g^–1, respectively, at pH values of >10. The effluent plume undergoes significant chemical changes during advection downestuary. The evidence suggested that adsorption of dissolved Hg onto organic-rich SPM was an important process. A maximum sediment Hg concentration of 500 g g^–1 was found about 1.5 km from the discharge, as a result of the settling of Hg-rich SPM. Downestuary Hg concentrations in sediments decline to about 100 g g^–1 at the mouth of the Esteiro. The particle-water interactions are discussed in terms of the transport of dissolved and particulate Hg into the Ria de Aveiro.