Reduction by a model of NAD(P)H: XI. Stereochemistry of a lactate dehydrogenase-model reaction

Stereochemistry of the biomimetic reduction of α-keto esters with NAD(P)H-model compounds has been investigated. The model compound with the R-configuration reduces the α-keto esters to the (R)-α-hydroxy esters, whereas (S)-α-hydroxy esters are afforded by the reduction with the S-configurational model compounds. It has been concluded that pro-R and -S hydrogens of the model compounds with R- and S-configuration, respectively, contribute predominantly to the reduction.     

Sesquiterpenes from Porella species

The Porella liverworts contain abundant sesquiterpenes. ent-Biocyclogermacrene, three ent-aromadendrenes, a unique hydrocarbon, α-pinguisene and two drimane type sesquiterpenes were obtained together with the intensly pungent component, tadeonal, from P. vernicosa and P. gracillima. P. macroloba contained the same sesquiterpenes except for the absence of ent-bicyclogermacrene and the ent-aromadendrenes. The fragrant odor of P. perrottetiana was composed of α-pinene and camphor.     

Trichoclin,a new furocoumarin from trichocline incana

The structure for trichoclin, (E)-8-(3-methyl-4-hydroxy-2-butenyloxy)-psoralen, a new furocoumarin isolated from Trichocline incana, has been established. Phellopterin and isopimpinellin were also obtained. The new side chain of trichoclin was confirmed by synthesis.     

On the selective elimination of Y-bearing sperm

The potential use of antibodies that selectively recognize either X-bearing or Y-bearing sperm is self-evident. Thus our attention was directed to the fact that under optimal conditions, H-Y antibody lyses 50% of mouse spermatozoa. Accordingly, we asked whether expression of H-Y antigen is haploid in spermatozoa from XY male mice heterozygous for the autosomal dominantSxr gene, for if H-Y expression were haploid, H-Y antibody would be expected to kill 75% of spermatozoa derived from these XY,Sxr/- males. However, maximal lysis remained at the 50% level, which indicates that haploid expression of H-Y antigen and the potential immunoselection of Y-(or X-) bearing spermatozoa are unlikely.     

Hydrocortisone inhibition of the bradykinin activation of human synovial fibroblasts

Human synovial fibroblasts in culture respond to bradykinin with a 20-fold increment in intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations, however bradykinin does not directly activate adenylate cyclase activity in a particulate fraction derived from these cells. Bradykinin evokes a release of labeled arachidonic acid and prostaglandins E and F from synovial fibroblasts pre-labeled with ³H-arachidonic acid. Hydrocortisone inhibits the bradykinin induced increment in cyclic AMP and the release of arachidonic acid and prostaglandins E and F from synovial fibroblasts. Indomethacin, which also inhibits the cyclic AMP response to bradykinin, has no effect on the release of arachidonic acid from synovial fibroblasts. Indomethacin does, however, inhibit the quantity of prostaglandins released into the medium. These studies support the hypothesis that bradykinin does not activate human synovial fibroblast adenylate cyclase, but presumably activates a phospholipase whose products in turn result in the synthesis of prostaglandins. These and other investigations also suggest that a product(s) of the prostaglandin pathway causes the increment in cyclic AMP.     

Effect of the removal of the COOH-terminal region of bacteriorhodopsin on its light-induced H+ changes.

Removal of the COOH-terminal region of bacteriorhodopsin by digestion with trypsin or papain reduces the yield of light-induced H+ release by 50-70%. The rate of H+ release is not affected significantly, but the half time of H+ uptake increases almost twofold. However, there is no effect on the photocycle of bacteriorhodopsin as judged by the yield and decay kinetics of the M412 photointermediate. The H+:M ratio in enzyme-digested membranes is approximately 0.4-0.8, whereas untreated membranes have a H+:M ratio of approximately 2. Purple membrane sheets stored in distilled water at 4 degrees C for prolonged periods also have a low H+:M ratio, probably due to protease activity associated with bacterial contamination. Electrophoresis on sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gels showed that both the enzyme-treated and the stored purple membrane samples have a higher electrophoretic mobility compared to the fresh preparation. The reduction in molecular weight can be accounted for by the loss of several residues from the COOH-terminal portion of the bacteriorhodopsin. We propose that the COOH-terminal region is partially responsible for the high yield of H+ release by the purple membrane.     

Effect of phosphatidylinositol replacement by diacylglycerol on various physical properties of artificial membranes with respect to the role of phosphatidylinositol response

In an attempt to gain insight into the physiological role of phosphatidylinositol turnover enhanced by extracellular stimuli, the physical properties of artificial membranes (egg yolk phosphatidylcholine/bovine brain phosphatidylserine) containing phosphatidylinositol or diacylglycerol were studied by ESR using spin probes and freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Diacylglycerol lost both the ability to form lipid bilayer structures and its susceptibility to calcium ions. Yeast phosphatidylinositol included in dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes lowered the phase transition temperature of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and expanded the temperature range of phase transition. However, diacylglycerol at the same concentration did not undergo the effects caused by phosphatidylinositol but the phase transition temperature was slightly raised. Phase separation of phosphatidylserine induced by calcium ions was enhanced when the phosphatidylinositol was replaced by diacylglycerol in phosphatidylcholine/ phosphatidylserine/phosphatidylinositol (3:5:2, by molar ratio) mixtures. The mobility of phosphatidylcholine spin probe was decreased in phosphatidylcholine/ phosphatidylserine/diacylglycerol (3:5:2, by molar ratio) liposomes compared with phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylserine/phosphatidylinositol (3:5:2, by molar ratio) liposomes. An additional component from protonated stearic acid spin probes was observed in phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylinositol (8:2, by molar ratio) liposomes at 40°C, whereas the component was not seen in phosphatidylcholine/diacylglycerol (8:2, by molar ratio) liposomes. This may indicate the alteration of surface charge induced by the replacement of phosphatidylinositol by diacylglycerol. Indeed, in the presence of 1 mM Ca²⁺, the additional component was removed by an electrostatic interaction between Ca²⁺ and phosphatidylinositol molecules in phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylinositol liposomes at 40°C. These results support the hypothesis that the enhanced turnover of phosphatidylinositol may play a triggering role for various cellular responses to exogenous stimuli by altering membrane physical states.     

Purification and partial characterization of cytochrome b5 from Tetrahymena pyriformis

With the use of detergents and successive column chromatographies, Tetrahymena b-type cytochrome was purified from microsomes to a specific content of 36.0 nmol per mg of protein. The purified form showed a single band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel with molecular weight of 22,000. The spectral properties of the reduced b-type cytochrome, the α-peak of which is situated at 560 nm and asymmetric with a shoulder at 556 nm, was different from that of rat liver microsomal cytochrome b₅. However, it was reducible by NADH in the presence of NADH-cytochrome b₅ reductase purified from rat liver microsomes.The results indicated that the microsomal b-type cytochrome should be designated as cytochrome b₅ of a ciliated protozoan, Tetrahymena pyriformis.