Conformation and dynamics of the chemotactic peptide formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine in solution

Several conformational and dynamic features of the chemotactic peptide formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine in solution have been delineated by investigations of NMR and IR spectroscopic parameters. Both 1D and 2D NMR experiments have been performed for detection of scalar and dipolar proton-proton connectivities, whereas 13C and 1H relaxation parameters have been interpreted in terms of molecular dynamics. The main conformation appeared to be unfolded with the three hydrophobic side chains extending in divergent directions with respect to the backbone. The existence of relatively weak intermolecular hydrogen bonds was demonstrated, involving the formamide end group, with increase in the hydrophobicity of the external surface.     

Adhesion of phospholipid vesicles to Chinese hamster fibroblasts: Role of cell surface proteins

The adhesion of artificially generated lipid membrane vesicles to Chinese hamster V79 fibroblasts in suspension was used as a model system for studying membrane interactions. Below their gel-liquid crystalline phase transition temperature, vesicles comprised of dipalmitoyl lecithin (DPL) or dimyristoyl lecithin (DML) absorbed to the surfaces of EDTA- dissociated cells. These adherent vesicles could not be removed by repeated washings of the treated cells but could be released into the medium by treatment with trypsin. EM autoradiographic studies of cells treated with[(3)H]DML or [(3)H]DPL vesicles showed that most of the radioactive lipids were confined to the cell periphery. Scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy further confirmed the presence of adherent vesicles at the cell surface. Adhesion of DML or DPL vesicles to EDTA-dissociated cells modified the lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination pattern of the cell surface proteins; the inhibition of labeling of two proteins with an approximately 60,000- dalton mol wt was particularly evident. Incubation of cells wit h (3)H-lipid vesicles followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that some of the (3)H-lipid migrated preferentially with these approximately 60,000-mol wt proteins. Studies of the temperature dependence of vesicle uptake and subsequent release by trypsin showed that DML or DPL vesicle adhesion to EDTA- dissociated cells increased with decreasing temperatures. In contrast, cells trypsinized before incubation with vesicles showed practically no temperature dependence of vesicle uptake. These results suggest two pathways for adhesion of lipid vesicles to the cell surface-a temperature-sensitive one involving cell surface proteins, and a temperature-independent one. These findings are discussed in terms of current models for cell-cell interactions.     

Indolamines in the cockroach Blaberus craniifer Burm. nervous system--II. Fed and crowded young males in comparison with females.

1. Indolamines were assayed by HPLC-ECD in nervous tissue of fed and crowded young males Blaberus craniifer Burm. 2. In males, as in females housed in the same conditions, levels are depending on both age and region (= ganglia) of the central nervous system. 3. Registered sex differences are discussed in terms of anatomical, physiological and behavioral sexual dimorphism.