Absence of functional and structural homology of natural and recombinant human leukocyte interferon (IFN-α) with human α-ACTH and β-endorphin

A comparison of the amino acid sequence of one human recombinant IFN-α (IFLrA) with either human β-endorphin or ACTH reveals only a minimal and insignificant degree of homology. Also, synthetic ACTH, β-endorphin and β-endorphin-(1–15) have no antiviral protective effects on human fibroblasts and cannot inhibit the neutralization of the antiviral effects of natural IFN-α by an antiserum directed against the interferon. Anti ACTH and Anti β-endorphin do not neutralize the antiviral effects of IFLrA, and radioimmunoassays of partially purified natural IFN-α and pure IFLrA do not reveal any evidence of α-MSH or β-endorphin-like material in the interferons. These results demonstrate an absence of functional and structural homology of natural and recombinant IFN-α with ACTH and β-endorphin.     

Expression of renal cell protein markers is dependent on initial mechanical culture conditions.

The rotating wall vessel is optimized for suspension culture, with laminar flow and adequate nutrient delivery, but minimal shear. However, higher shears may occur in vivo. During rotating wall vessel cultivation of human renal cells, size and density of glass-coated microcarrier beads were changed to modulate initial shear. Renal-specific proteins were assayed after 2 days. Flow cytometry antibody binding analysis of vitamin D receptor demonstrated peak expression at intermediate shears, with 30% reduction outside this range. Activity of cathepsin C showed the inverse pattern, lowest at midshear, with twofold increases at either extreme. Dipeptidyl-peptidase IV had no shear dependence, suggesting that the other results are specific, not universal, changes in membrane trafficking or protein synthesis. On addition of dextran, which changes medium density and viscosity but not shear, vitamin D receptor assay showed no differences from controls. Neither cell cycle, apoptosis/necrosis indexes, nor lactate dehydrogenase release varied between experiments, confirming that the changes are primary, not secondary to cell cycling or membrane damage. This study provides direct evidence that mechanical culture conditions modulate protein expression in suspension culture.     

The carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of four eudesmane sesquiterpenols

The ¹³C NMR spectra of geosmin, selina-4(14),7(11)-diene-99-ol and two dihydroeudesmol isomers have been obtained and the individual resonances assigned. Several different empirical correlations developed by others have been combined in simple calculations to predict chemical shift values for sesquiterpenols of the eudesmane group.