Interaction of C-phycocyanin with lipid monolayers under nitrogen and in the presence of air

The surface interaction of C-phycocyanin with lipids was studied using the monolayer technique. The surface activity of the protein was found to be higher at the lipid-water interface than at the nitrogen-water interface, particularly at high surface pressures of the lipid monolayer. The maximum initial surface pressures beyond which phycocyanin could not penetrate the dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and monogalactosyldiglycerol monolayers were 27 and 30 mN m-1, respectively. Below these values the protein demonstrated preferential interaction with the monogalactosyldiglycerol monolayer. The surface properties of the unfolded protein at pH 2.5 at the lipid-water interface were compared with those of the protein at pH 7.0. Higher affinity of the three-dimensional structure of the protein to lipid monolayers was observed, in particular by high subphase protein concentration. When the lipid films were subjected to oxidation stress by exposure to air, the surface properties of C-phycocyanin and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine were not greatly affected but the surface activity of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol was reduced dramatically by autoxidation. The oxidation of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol could not be prevented by the introduction of C-phycocyanin molecules at the lipid-water interface.     

Differentiation of the myoepithelial cells of the rat submandibular gland in vivo and in vitro: an ultrastructural study

Cytodifferentiation of the myoepithelial cells (MEC) of the rat submandibular gland (SMG) was observed by studying the prenatal and postnatal development of the gland in vivo and in vitro by light and electron microscopy. The anlage of the SMG first appeared on the fourteenth day of gestation and, from its earliest inception, was surrounded by an intact basal lamina. Presumptive myoepithelial cells were first seen at 18 days of gestation coinciding with the onset of secretion in the rudiment. These cells were flattened, peripherally located and subjacent to the epithelial basal lamina. Initial deposition of cytofilaments in the MEC's was observed during the first three days following birth and fully matured cells were seen as early as one week after birth. Presumptive and immature MEC's were observed undergoing mitosis, but once cytofilament deposition had begun in the cells they did not divide. Myoepithelium developed in relation to embryonic secretory structures and were only observed surounding acini and intercalated ducts in the adult gland. New myoepithelial cells were formed as long as new acinar-intercalated duct units were formed. Myoepithelial cells did not produce secretory type granules at any time during their development or in their mature state. Development of the MEC's in vitro paralleled that in vivo and supported the above observations.     

Monoclonal antibodies against Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase: a neutralizing antibody which recognizes a conformational epitope related to an active site of elastase.

We have established seven murine hybridoma cell lines which produce monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase. The seven mAbs recognized at least six different epitopes on the elastase molecule. All mAbs inhibited both enzymatic activities of elastase and protease, in which elastin fluorescein and hide powder azure were used as substrates, respectively. One of them, mAb E-4D3, strongly neutralized enzymatic activities of peptidase in which furylacryloyl-glycyl-leucinamide was used as a substrate, as well as of elastase and protease. In contrast, the other six mAbs did not neutralize peptidase activity at all. The Ki value for furylacryloyl-glycl-leucinamide of E-4D3, as well as its Fab fragment, was comparable to those for metalloprotease inhibitors such as phosphoramidon and Zincov inhibitor. The binding of mAb E-4D3 was inhibited by phosphoramidon and Zincov inhibitor, but not by metal chelators such as EDTA and o-phenanthroline. A line of evidence suggests that mAb E-4D3 directly interacts with active site and highly neutralizes enzymatic activity of P. aeruginosa elastase. Data of Western blotting and ELISA suggest that mAb E-4D3 is likely to recognize an elastase molecule in a conformation-dependent manner as an epitope. In contrast, the neutralizing activity of the other mAbs against elastase and protease seems to be caused by a low accessibility of an enzyme to insoluble and high-molecular-mass substrates through the binding and steric hindrance of the mAbs to an enzyme.     

Changes in plasma electrolytes and their regulatory hormones during an acute exposure to heat. Human studies in a Finnish sauna

Plasma Na, K, Cl, Ca, P didn't or moderately be altered by exposure to acute heat in sauna bath (20 mn, 80 degrees C, relative humidity 15-20%). However, CO2T decreased, ARP, aldosterone, ACTH, PRL increased, and PTH wasn't modified.     

Heliothrix oregonensis,gen. nov., sp. nov., a phototrophic filamentous gliding bacterium containing bacteriochlorophyll a

An unusual filamentous, gliding bacterium was found in a few hot springs in Oregon where it formed a nearly unispecific top layer of microbial mats. It contained a bacteriochlorophyll a-like pigment and an abundance of carotenoids. There were no chlorosomes or additional chlorophylls. The organism was aerotolerant and appeared to be photoheterotrophic. It was successfully co-cultured with an aerobic chemoheterotroph in a medium containing glucose and casamino acids. Although it has many characteristics in common with the genus Chloroflexus, the lack of chlorosomes and bacteriochlorophyll c and the aerobic nature of this organism indicate that it should be placed in a new genus. This conclusion is supported by 5S rRNA nucleotide sequence data.     

Mylonchulus sessus n.sp. (Nematoda: Mononchida) from Brunei

Summary Mylonchulus sessus n.sp. is described. It is close to M. sigmaturus and M. dentatus and was found in soil from around tomato from Brunei. It has an exceptionally well developed and differentiated female reproductive system which is rather unusual in Mylonchulus and, although close to M. sigmaturus and M. dentatus differs from both in having wider amphids and smaller submedian teeth.     

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) induced rapid formation of thromboxane B2 in saponin-permeabilised human platelets: mechanism of IP3 action

The mechanism of IP3-induced activation of saponin-permeabilised platelets has been examined. Saponin permeabilization resulted in the leakage of low-Mr substances into and from the cells without loss of cytoplasmic proteins. Addition of IP3 rapidly induced a dose-related formation of thromboxane B2 and release into the medium, leading to the responses of shape change, aggregation and [14C]5HT release. These responses were inhibited by the thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist AH23848. The IP3-induced release of 45Ca from intracellular stores was not affected by indomethacin. Synthesis of thromboxane was inhibited if Ca2+ elevation was prevented by using Ca-EGTA buffers during permeabilization. These studies indicate that IP3-induced activation was due to Ca2+ mobilisation leading to phospholipase activation and thromboxane synthesis.     

Immunologic effects of interleukin 2 in primary immunodeficiency diseases

Five children with primary deficiencies of T cell function were studied to assess the effects of highly purified exogenous Interleukin 2 (IL 2) on their in vitro T cell responses. The lymphocytes from one child with Nezelof's T cell deficiency demonstrated absence of endogenous IL 2 production and improved proliferative responses to mitogen or alloantigen in the presence of exogenous IL 2. Moreover, during in vitro mixed lymphocyte culture in the presence of exogenous IL 2, his lymphocytes were able to develop into cytotoxic effector cells. A second child with Nezelof's syndrome demonstrated a different type of defect. The lymphocytes from this child had less impairment of endogenous IL 2 production. Although IL 2 increased the proliferation of his cells in response to PHA, similar augmentation was not seen after stimulation with OKT3 or alloantigen. In cell-mediated cytotoxicity assays, after mixed lymphocyte culture, natural killer-like activity was strongly boosted in the cultures that contained IL 2, but T cell-mediated cytotoxicity was not. The lymphocytes from three patients with severe combined immunodeficiency did not show improved proliferative responses in the presence of IL 2. Thus, only one of the five patients demonstrated the combination of defective endogenous IL 2 production, but preservation of the ability to respond appropriately to exogenous IL 2. This child may therefore have suffered from a T cell defect pathophysiologically similar to that seen in nude or aged mice.