Structure of the sugar-phosphate moiety of lipid A from lipooligosaccharide of Neisseria meningitidis group B,strain BC5S No. 125

On the basis of chemical and NMR data the partial structure of lipid A from lipooligosaccharide (LOS) of Neisseria meningitidis group B, strain BC₅S No 125 was established. Lipid A consisted of disaccharide 2-deoxy-6-O-[2-deoxy-2-(3-hydroxytetradecanoylamino)--gluco-pyranosyl]-2-(3-hydroxytetradecanoylamino)--glucopyranose carrying the -(2-aminoethyl)pyrophosphate residue at 0–4 and the pyrophosphate or phosphate residue at 0–1. On hydrolysis of the acidic form of LOS with 1% acetic acid the substituent at 0–1 was practically completely removed whereas that at 0–4 was stable. The analogous hydrolysis of the Mg-salt of LOS was accompanied by splitting off the pyrophosphate linkage in the substituent at 0–4. Hydrolysis of LOS at pH 4.5 in the presence of SDS led mainly to a lipid A preparation retaining both pyrophosphate residues.Abbreviations KDO 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid - LA-I, LA-II preparations of lipid A - LOS lipooligosaccharide - LOS-H⁺ the acidic form of LOS - OS oligosaccharide - TLC thin-layer chromatography - GLC-MS gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry     

Interaction of histones with estrogens. Covalent adduct formation with 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone

Disturbed estrogen metabolism leading to increased 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone (16 alpha-OHE) has been described in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and mammary carcinoma. Previous studies showed the formation of covalent complexes between 16 alpha-OHE and nonspecific cellular membrane proteins. The present study is concerned with the interaction of 16 alpha-OHE and histones. Covalent adduct formation between 16 alpha-OHE and individual histones was maximal with H1 histone. Other endogenous estrogens such as estrone, estradiol, and estriol did not interact with histones and form covalent adducts, nor did they interfere with the interaction of 16 alpha-OHE with these nuclear proteins. The evidence supports that the adduct formation between 16 alpha-OHE and histones proceeds via a stabilized Schiff base and subsequent rearrangement. This adduct formation which may have in vivo analogues may represent a mechanism for cellular transformation by this estrogen metabolite.     

A Yersinia enterocolitica serotype 0:3 lipopolysaccharide-specific monoclonal antibody reacts more strongly with bacteria cultured at room temperature than those cultured at 37 degrees C

It has been suggested that the O-side chains of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of serotype 0:3 strains of Yersinia enterocolitica vary quantitatively and qualitatively depending on whether they are cultured at 37 degrees C or 25 degrees C. It is uncertain whether this affects the expression of the serotype-specific antigens that are probably carried on the LPS. We studied this question with a serotype 0:3-specific monoclonal antibody, 2C1. This monoclonal antibody immunoprecipitated a 39K major protein from detergent-solubilized 125I-labeled Yersinia preparation. However, results of Western blot experiments demonstrated that the antigens reactive with 2C1 were not actually the 39K protein but the O-side chains of the LPS. Significantly, reactivity could be detected whether the bacteria were cultured at room temperature or at 37 degrees C. However, absorption experiments confirmed that there were less accessible antigenic determinants on the 37 degrees C-LPS. The LPS preparations were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and silver staining. These SDS-PAGE profiles showed that less O-side chains were present in the 37 degrees C-LPS. Hence, the most likely explanation for our observation is that the 37 degrees C incubation condition induced a partial smooth to rough transition of the Yersinia LPS with a decrease in the amount of 2C1-reactive antigen.     

Effects of stimulating the superior colliculus on motoneurons of the neck muscle in the cat

Postsynaptic potentials produced by stimulating three sites of the midbrain superior colliculus were examined in motoneurons innervating the sternocleidomastoid, the trapezius, and the platysma cervical muscles in anesthetized cats. Stimulating the ipsilateral colliculus produced EPSP in the motoneurons as well as action potentials with a latency of 1.5–3.5 msec, averaging 2.6 ± 0.1 msec. Stimulation of the contralateral colliculus evoked EPSP with a latency of 1.5–3.2 msec and averaging 2.1 ± 0.1 msec together with IPSP with latency ranging from 2.6 to 5.0 msec. It is postulated that these postsynaptic responses are both monosynpatic and bisynaptic in nature. This type of synaptic action is assumed to be one of the mechanisms responsible for coordinated head movements produced by tectofugal impulses.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 197–202, March–April, 1986.     

Corticofugal influences on neurons of the main trigeminal sensory nucleus

The effects of stimulation of the ipsilateral sensomotor cortex were studied on 88 neurons in the region of the main trigeminal sensory nucleus of a cat. The cortex was stimulated via a coaxial electrode by single impulses. Stimulation of the cortex caused the appearance of EPSPs and action potentials in these neurons; a small number of these responses were monosynaptic. The polarity of the impulse applied to the cortex had a significant effect on the magnitude of the latent period of the response and the postsynaptic reaction, which is apparently caused by the stimulation of different types of cortex neurons. Apparently, corticofugal pulsation regulates the level of sensitivity of the trigeminal sensory neurons.A. A. Bogomolets' Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 47–53, July–August, 1969.     

Vasoactive properties of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid and series one prostaglandins in a freshwater teleost, Channa maculata

1. Prostaglandins A1, B1, E1 and F1 alpha (2-120 micrograms/kg), arachidonic acid and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (0.1-2 mg/kg) were injected intravenously into Channa maculata and changes in arterial blood pressure were recorded. 2. Injection of PGF1 alpha had no significant effect on arterial blood pressure. Injection of PGA1 and PGE1 was followed by dose-dependent hypotension whereas injection of PGB1 elicited significant dose-dependent increase in arterial blood pressure. 3. Both dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid were also depressor agents but dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid was more potent. 4. A single bolus intravenous injection of indomethacin (5 mg/kg) or 4 daily intraperitoneal injections (4 x 10 mg/kg) significantly lowered arterial blood pressure. One hour after pre-treatment of indomethacin, the vascular effects of both prostaglandin precursors were abolished. 5. It appears that the vascular effects of prostaglandins in Channa maculata are qualitatively different from those reported for mammals.