Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) Regulation of Sympathetic Neuron Neuropeptide Y and Catecholamine Expression

Abstract: Two forms of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), the 38- and 27-amino-acid forms (PACAP38 and PACAP27, respectively), which share amino acid sequence homology with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), were evaluated for their abilities to regulate sympathetic neuron catecholamine and neuropeptide Y (NPY) expression. PACAP38 and PACAP27 potently and efficaciously stimulated NPY and catecholamine secretion in primary cultured superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons; 100- to 1,000-fold higher concentrations of VIP were required to modulate secretion, suggesting that SCG neurons express the PACAP-selective type I receptor. PACAP38 elicited a sustained seven- to ninefold increase in the rate of NPY secretion and three-fold stimulation in the rate of catecholamine release. PACAP38 and PACAP27 produced parallel neuronal NPY and catecholamine release, but cellular levels of NPY and catecholamines were differentially regulated. Sympathetic neuron NPY content was decreased, whereas cellular total catecholamine levels were elevated by the PACAP peptides; total NPY and catecholamine levels (secreted plus cellular content) were increased. In concert with the increased total peptide and transmitter production, pro-NPY and tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA levels were elevated. Furthermore, PACAP38 was more efficacious than PACAP27 in regulating pro-NPY and tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA. SCG neuronal expression of mRNA encoding the type I PACAP receptor further supported the studies demonstrating that sympathetic neuronal levels of NPY and catecholamine content and secretion and mRNA are differentially regulated by the PACAP peptides.     

Ulfrastructure of the histological zones in growing vegetative buds of Salix spp.

Ultrastructural differentiation in the shoot apex of growing vegetative buds of Salix was studied, and some micrographs analysed morphometrically. The distribution of inorganic phospahte (P;) was analysed cytochemically. A distinct histological zona–tion was observed in the apex. The relative volumes of nuclei and plastids were significantly higher in the central tunica zone than in the peripheral one. The corpus differed from the central tunica zone by significantly lower volume density of nuclei and higher of vacuoles and mitochondria. During differentiation of the rib meristem vacuole volume increased significantly, while the relative volumes of nuclei, mitochondria, nucleoli, and heterochromatin decreased. It was not possible to decide whether the vacuoles originate from ER or GERL. Morphogenesis of chloroplasts with large starch grains and grana from proplastids was evident in the rib meristem; dedifferentiation to S–plastids was found in the protophloem. Prolamellar bodies were observed in the procambium plastids. The protophloem was characterized by P–protein and spiny vesicles. P_i was found in the nucleoli of most epidermis cells, several procambium cells, and a few chlorencyma cells, but never in the tunica of the growing apical and developing lateral buds. P_i also occurred in some plasmalemma–somes and occasionally in the walls in connection with plasmodesmata.     

Electron microscopic studies on liver 5-aminolaevulinate synthase

The structure of chick embryo liver 5-aminolaevulinate synthase has been examined by electron microscopic studies using negative staining. From the different projections of the enzyme particles observed in electron micrographs, a model for the enzyme molecule has been proposed. In this model, an enzyme molecule consists of two curved and identical subunits associated in opposite polarities. From the dimensions of an enzyme molecule subunit measured from electron micrographs, the relative molecular mass of each subunit is estimated to be 70 000.     

The human genome contains multiple sequences of varying homology to mouse mammary tumour virus DNA

Sequences related to the mouse mammary tumour virus (MuMTV) DNA were isolated from a genomic library of human DNA by screening under conditions of relaxed stringency. It is estimated that there are in the order of 50 MuMTV-like sequences per haploid genome and that the homology between the different human sequences and MuMTV varies by 15%.     

Proteinase-sensitive release of enzymes from pancreatic microsomal fraction.

Suspensions of rat pancreatic microsomal fraction release alpha-amylase and ribonuclease on incubation at 37 degrees C, but not at 2 degrees C. The release is abolished by proteolytic enzymes. Ribonuclease associated with the microsomal fraction is protected from subtilisin BPN' attack, but is sensitive after release.     

Colorimetric Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for the Identification of Strains of Rhizobium in Culture and in the Nodules of Lentils

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has been developed to identify strains of Rhizobium in culture and in lentil nodules. The test can be used on cells from both fresh and frozen nodules obtained from plants grown either in a growth chamber or in the field. Test results were confirmed by immunofluorescence. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique can be used for field studies and requires less antisera than other serological techniques.     

Pronounced inhibition of noradrenaline uptake by 10-hydroxymetabolites of nortriptyline

The potency of the tricyclic antidepressant nortriptyline (NT) relative to that of its major metabolite (E-10-hydroxynortriptyline; E-10-OH-NT) to inhibit the uptake of noradrenaline in rat brain slices incubated in human plasma was 1.75 ± S.D. 0.30. The E- and Z-isomers of 10-OH-NT were equipotent. Hydroxy-metabolites of NT or amitriptyline did not inhibited the neuronal uptake of serotonin.During treatment of 87 patients with NT or amitriptyline the mean ratio between the plasma levels of unconjugated 10-OH-NT and NT was 1.40 ± S.D. 0.86 with a range of 0.32 – 5.0. This ratio increased with age. There was a significant correlation between the plasma levels of the two compounds (r = 0.63; p < 0.001). In three patients treated with NT, the CSF levels of the parent drug and unconjugated 10-OH-NT were similar and about 5 % of the plasma levels.These results indicate that during treatment with NT (or amitriptyline) 10-OH-NT contributes to the effect of these drugs on central noradrenergic neurons. This seems to be of special significance in the elderly.     

Prevalence of schistosome infections within molluscan populations: observed patterns and theoretical predictions

The paper draws together a large and scattered body of empirical evidence concerning the prevalence of snail infection with schistosome parasites in field situations, the duration of the latent period of infection in snails (and its dependence on temperature), and the mortality rates of infected and uninfected snails in field and laboratory conditions. A review and synthesis of quantitative data on the population biology of schistosome infections within the molluscan host is attempted and observed patterns of infection are compared with predictions of a schistosomiasis model developed by May (1977) which incorporates differential snail mortality (between infected and uninfected snails) and latent periods of infection. It is suggested that the low levels of prevalence within snail populations in endemic areas of schistosomiasis are closely associated with high rates of infected snail mortality and the duration of the latent period of infection within the mollusc. In certain instances, the expected life-span of an infected snail may be less than the duration of the latent period of infection. Such patterns generate very low levels of parasite prevalence. A new age prevalence model for schistosome infections within snail populations is developed and its predictions compared with observed patterns. The implications of this study of observed and predicted patterns of snail infection within molluscan populations are discussed in relation to the overall transmission dynamics of schistosomiasis.