Proximity of lectin receptors on the cell surface measured by fluorescence energy transfer in a flow system.

Molecules of the lectin concanavalin A have been labeled separately with the fluorescein and rhodamine chromophores and jointly bound to the surface of transformed Friend erythroleukemia cells. The two dyes constitute an ideal donor-acceptor pair for fluorescence resonance energy transfer thereby permitting the determination of the proximity relationships between bound ligand molecules and the corresponding surface receptors. The transfer efficiency at saturation (about 57%) was measured in a multiparameter flow system using laser excitation at 488 nm and detection of fluorescein and rhodamine emission intensities as well as the emission anisotropy of the rhodamine fluorescence for each cell. The degree of energy transfer was estimated from the quenching of donor emission, the sensitization of acceptor emission, and the depolarization of acceptor fluorescence. The system has been modeled according to a formalism developed by Gennis and Cantor (Biochemistry 11: 2509, 1972). We estimate the separation between the surfaces of bound lectin molecules at saturation to be 0-40 A, a range possibly characteristic for micropatches induced by ligand binding.     

Cyclic AMP derivatives stimulate the chondrogenic differentiation of the mesoderm subjacent to the apical ectodermal ridge of the chick limb bud.

Recent studies indicate that one of the major functions of the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) of the embryonic chick limb bud is to maintain mesenchymal cells directly subjacent to it (i.e., cells extending 0.4-0.5 mm from the AER) in a labile, undifferentiated condition. Furthermore, when mesenchymal cells are freed from the AER's influence, either artifically or as a result of normal polarized proximal-to-distal limb outgrowth, they are freed to commence cytodifferentiation. In a preliminary attempt to investigate at a molecular level the mechanism by which the AER exerts its "negative" effect on the cytodifferentiation of subridge mesenchymal cells, we have examined the effect of a variety of agents that elevate cyclic AMP levels on the chondrogenic differentiation of the unspecialized subridge mesoderm of the limb bud in an organ culture system. Dibutyryl- and 8-hydroxy-cyclic AMP elicit a dose-dependent increase in the rate and amount of cartilage matrix formation and a corresponding dose-dependent increase in sulfated glycosaminoglycan accumulation by subridge mesoderm explants. The stimulatory effect of suboptimal concentrations of cyclic AMP derivatives is potentiated by the addition of theophylline. The stimulatory effect is limited to cyclic AMP derivatives, since dibutyryl-cyclic GMP and 5'-AMP have no effect. Thus agents that elevate intracellular cyclic AMP levels stimulate the chondrogenic differentiation of the unspecialized subridge mesoderm of the embryonic chick limb bud.     

Quantitative measurement of intracellular RNA genomes of Rauscher murine leukemia virus by competition hybridization in DNA excess.

The technique of competition hybridization in DNA excess was used to determine the intracellular distribution of RNA genomes of Rauscher murine leukemia virus. An examination of subcellular RNA fractions revealed that 59% of intracellular viral RNA genomes were associated with the nuclear-enriched fraction, 41% with the cytoplasmic fraction, and 18% with the polysomal-enriched fraction. Also, an analysis of total cellular RNA disclosed that 20% of intracellular viral RNA genomes were polyadenylated and 80% were not polyadenylated.     

Mutator genes of baby hamster kidney cells.

Two mutator genes of mammalian cells were demonstrated. One was associated with the ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase, and the other was associated with an extreme adenosine sensitivity.     

Studies on the adrenal cortex of hypophysectomized rats: A model for abnormal cellular atrophy and death

Summary Biochemical and ultrastructural studies indicate that the atrophy of adrenal cortex in hypoyhysectomized rats involves the following changes: (1) One to two days after hypophysectomy, there is loss of template activity resulting from cumulative DNA-damage and heterochromatinization.In vivo ACTH-administration led to recuperation of these cells, indicating damage during hypophysectomized state to be reversible. (2) If the duration of hypophysectomy is prolonged, some of the cells become irreversibly damaged and can no longer recuperate afterin vivo ACTH administration. (3) The period of most rapid cell death is from the third to seventh day after hypophysectomy. The cause of cell death is probably due to membrane damage in the absence of protein synthesis, leading to lysis of the cells. Lysozomes and macrophages are apparently not involved.Supported by U.S.P.H.S. grants AM-5384 and AM-13724 and taken in part from dissertations submitted by Chan and by Mostafapour to Wayne State University in partial fulfillment towards the Ph.D. degree.An invited article.     

Stabilization of the relaxed state of aspartate transcarbamoylase by modification with a bifunctional reagent.

Native aspartate transcarbamoylase from Escherichia coli was modified with the bifunctional reagent tartaryl diazide in the presence of the substrate carbamoyl phosphate and the substrate analog succinate. The product had the same sedimentation coefficient as the native enzyme but showed a marked increase in affinity for the substrate aspartate with a hyperbolic saturation curve. The Michaelis constant for aspartate (7.4 mM) is similar to that estimated for the relaxed state of the enzyme. The high substrate affinity was not produced if modification was conducted in the absence of substrate analogs or with a monofunctional reagent. The modified enzyme was also desensitized towards the allosteric effectors ATP and CTP. It appears to represent a stabilized relaxed state whose conversion to the taut state is presumably prevented by cross-linking.     

Association of long surface appendages with adherence-related functions of the gram-positive species Actinomyces naeslundii

Electron microscopy of new isolates of gram-positive Actinomyces naeslundii demonstrated long, fragile appendages. Removal of the appendages impaired attachment to epithelial cells and reaggregation, thus implicating them in attachment-related functions.     

Condensed tannin,an antibiotic chemical from Gossypium hirsutum

Antibiotic activity against Heliothis virescens was found in flower buds of Gossypium hirsutum, experimental stock Texas 254. Relatively low antibiotic activity was found in hexane extract, high activity in methanolic extract and residue, and no activity in acetone and water extracts. A condensed tannin having a molecular weight of 4850 was isolated from methanolic extract by column chromatography on Sephadex G-25. It was the major antibiotic component, 3.4% of the dried flower bud. The condensed tannin at 0.2% in the diet retarded larval growth by 84%.