Pseudomonas aeruginosa cytochrome oxidase. Product inhibition by low thermodynamic driving force

The steady-state kinetics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cytochrome oxidase were studied. Reduced cytochrome c551 and azurin from the same bacteria were used as the electron-donating substrates, while dioxygen served as the electron acceptor. Oxidized cytochrome c551 and azurin exhibited product inhibition of the reaction. However, apo-azurin and azurin derivatives in which the copper was substituted by the redox-inert ions Ni2+, Co2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+, did not show any effect on the kinetics. These observations implied that complex formation between the substrates or the products and the enzyme is not a rate-limiting step and is not the cause for product inhibition. The integrated rate law for a reaction scheme in which we assumed that complex formation was not rate limiting was fitted to the complete reaction traces. The results suggested that it is the low thermodynamic driving force, expressed in the small differences in redox potential between the substrates and heme c of the enzyme, which cause the observed product inhibition.     

Histochemical study of the myelin-associated carbohydrates.

Myelin-associated carbohydrates were studied by means of histochemical techniques in the central nervous system of birds and mammals. Polianions in the surface of myelin and in interfascicular oligodendroglia were detected using histochemical techniques. Glycoproteins were studied by means of concanavalin A. The Con-A-PO-DAB sequence was used. Concanavalin-A-binding sites were detected in oligodendroglia and on the myelin surface. Similar results were observed in both birds and mammals. The processes of the interfascicular oligodendroglia also contain carbohydrates. A close association between the carbohydrates of these glial processes and the myelin surface carbohydrates was demonstrated, and their probable identity is assumed.     

Competition between native and monoacetylated polymyxin for charged adsorption sites

The native antibiotic polymyxin B, carrying five positive charges, displaces the monoacetylated on from its adsorbed state at the interface between negatively charged lipid layers ans water. A simulation model for asdorption, governed by electrostatic forces, is presented. The model adequently representes the competitive adsorption kinetics and equilibria.     

Biosensors for assay of glycoalkaloids in potato tubers

The possibility of practical application of biosensors based on pH-sensitive field-effect transistors and butyrylcholinesterase to glycoalkaloid analysis in potato tubers was studied. The main analytical features of the designed biosensors and measurement conditions were optimized. The biosensor was applied to quantitative analysis of glycoalkaloids in tubers of different potato varieties. The results proved to be in good agreement with those obtained by conventional protocols. Experiments on glucose assay were performed. An inverse correlation between the contents of glucose and glycoalkaloids in potato tubers was demonstrated.