Deconjugation of glucuronides catalysed by UDPglucuronyltransferase

Evidence was found for UDPglucuronyltransferase-catalysed deconjugation of p-nitrophenol-, 4-methylumbelliferone- and phenolphthalein-glucuronides. The evidence is based on the following observations: 1, deconjugation is UDP-dependent and the reactions show Michaels-Menten kinetics with respect to UDP and glucuronide saturability; 2, UDP-glucuronic acid was identified as reaction product; 3, all studies were done in the presence of a beta-glucuronidase inhibitor; 4, induction profiles, using 3-methylcholanthrene and phenobarbital as inducing agents, were identical for conjugation and deconjugation reactions. Optimal deconjugation rates for p-nitrophenol- and 4-methylumbelliferone-glucuronides were at pH 5.1 and for phenolphthalein-glucuronide at pH 6.5. Only conjugation reactions showed latency; the corresponding deconjugation reactions were not latent. UDPglucuronyltransferase is a group of oligomeric isoenzymes with different molecular masses. The molecular masses of the isoenzyme species catalysing the forward and reverse reactions were determined by radiation-inactivation analysis. The molecular masses of the isoenzyme species mediating the catalyses of deconjugation reactions were significantly smaller than those mediating catalyses of conjugation reactions: 66 +/- 4 kDa vs. 109 +/- 7 kDa for p-nitrophenol; 82 +/- 8 kDa vs. 105 +/- 6 kDa for 4-methylumbelliferone; and 74 +/- 8 kDa vs. 159 +/- 14 kDa for phenolphthalein. This suggests that for catalyses of deconjugation reactions only part of a UDPglucuronyltransferase isoenzyme is needed, whereas for forward reactions the complete isoenzymes are required.     

Natural killer-sensitive targets stimulate production of TNF-alpha but not TNF-beta (lymphotoxin) by highly purified human peripheral blood large granular lymphocytes

Highly purified populations of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) have been shown to mediate natural killer (NK) cell activity. The mechanism of target cell killing by NK cells is as yet undefined; however, it has been postulated that such killing may involve soluble cytotoxic factors produced and secreted by NK cells. The data presented show that NK-sensitive, but not NK-resistant, tumor cell lines induce highly purified populations of human LGL to produce factors with cytotoxic and/or cytostatic activities. We have identified one of these factors as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and have shown that production of this factor is enhanced by recombinant human interferon-gamma (rHuIFN-gamma). We have also examined the role of TNF-alpha in the cytotoxic function of NK cells. The data show that although highly purified LGL populations produce low levels of TNF-alpha, the cytotoxic/cytostatic activity of this lymphokine on tumor target cells does not correlate with the cytotoxic activity of highly purified populations of LGL on tumor target cells. Furthermore, NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity is not reliably inhibited by antibodies directed against various epitopes of recombinant human TNF-alpha and/or recombinant TNF-beta (lymphotoxin) or rHuIFN-gamma. These data show that although TNF-alpha is produced by highly purified NK-containing LGL cell populations, this factor does not appear to be responsible for NK cell cytotoxicity against classical NK target cells such as Molt-4 or K562. We suggest that NK function can be attributed to a combination of factors rather than to a single factor alone, and that at least two major phenomena are involved in LGL function: the rapid cytotoxic events which lead to the cell lysis measured in classical in vitro NK assays such as against K562; and the release of factors such as TNF-alpha with cytotoxic/cytostatic activities which would inhibit the growth of invading tumor cells in vivo.     

Lichens toGunnera — with emphasis onAzolla

Summary N₂-fixing cyanobacteria occur in symbiotic associations with fungi (ascomycetes) as lichens and with a few green plants. The associated cyanobacterium is always a species ofNostoc orAnabaena. Only a small number of plant genera are involved but there is a remarkable range of host diversity. Associations occur with several bryophytes (e.g.Anthoceros, Blasia, Cavicularia), a pteridophyte (Azolla), cycads (nine genera includingMacrozamia andEncephalartos) and an angiosperm (Gunnera). Except forGunnera, where the cyanobacterium penetrates the plant cells, the cyanobacteria are extracellular with specialized morphological modifications and/or structures of the host plant organs providing an environment which facilitates interaction with the prokaryote.Salient aspects of current knowledge pertaining to the establishment, perpetuation, and functioning of the individual symbioses are summarized. Where possible this includes information concerning recognition and specificity, mode(s) of infection, morphological modifications/adaptations of the host plant and a synopsis of morphological, physiological and biochemical changes common to the symbiotic cyanobacteria. The latter encompasses heterocyst frequencies, enzymes involved in ammonia assimilation, photosynthetic capability and metabolic interaction with the host.TheAzolla-Anabaena symbioses, which have potential agronomic significance as an alternative nitrogen source and maintain continuity with the endophyte through the sexual cycle, are emphasized.     

Purification of gamma-glutamyltransferase by phenyl boronate affinity chromatography. Studies on the acceptor specificity of transpeptidation by rat kidney gamma-glutamyltransferase

gamma-Glutamyltransferase has been purified from rat kidney by a novel procedure using phenyl boronate affinity chromatography. The highly purified enzyme has been studied with respect to acceptor specificity for a number of amino acids, amino acid analogues, dipeptides and tripeptides. The acceptor activity is specific for L-amino acids. The amino acids and the majority of the essential amino acids are poor acceptors while the sulphur-containing amino acids are the best acceptors. The acceptor activity is modulated by the substitution of the amino acid side chain. Substitution of the side chain at the delta, gamma or beta positions results in a proportionally decreasing ability to act as acceptor. The carbonyl moiety of the gamma-carboxy group of the acceptor appears to be essential for acceptor activity, absence of an alpha-carboxy carbonyl group increases the Kappm of the acceptor approximately 100-fold.     

Mechanical constraints canalizing the evolutionary transformation of tetrapod limbs

A reconstruction of the anagenetic transformations from fins to tetrapod limbs is represented considering the self-evident mechanical constraints which must have limited the construction and thus the function and the transformation.     

A Mouse β-Globin Mutant That Is an Exact Model of Hemoglobin Rainier in Man

A mutation induced by ethylnitrosourea in a spermatogonial stem cell of a 101/H mouse has resulted in a structurally altered beta-diffuse major globin in one of his offspring. The mutant hemoglobin is associated with polycythemia, rubor, increased oxygen affinity and decreased hem-hem interaction. The mutant haplotype has been designated Hbbd4, polycythemia. Amino acid analysis of the mutant globin has shown that a single substitution beta 145 Tyr----Cys has occurred, and it is proposed that ethylnitrosourea induced an A----G transition in the tyrosine codon (TAC----TGC). This murine polycythemia is homologous with hemoglobin Rainier in man, in which the amino acid substitution is also beta 145 Tyr----Cys and which is associated with similar physiological consequences.     

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Desensitization of the turkey erythrocyte beta-adrenergic receptor in a cell-free system. Evidence that multiple protein kinases can phosphorylate and desensitize the receptor

We have used a recently developed cell-free system (cell lysate) derived from turkey erythrocytes to explore the potential role of cAMP-activated and other protein kinase systems in desensitizing the adenylate cyclase-coupled beta-adrenergic receptor. Desensitization by the agonist isoproterenol required more than simple occupancy of the receptor by the agonist since under conditions where adenylate cyclase was not activated, no desensitization occurred. As in whole cells, addition of cyclic nucleotides to the cell lysate produced only approximately 50% of the maximal isoproterenol-induced desensitization obtainable. Addition of the purified cAMP-dependent protein kinase holoenzyme plus isoproterenol to isolated turkey erythrocyte plasma membranes mimicked the submaximal desensitization induced in lysates by cAMP. This effect was entirely blocked by the specific inhibitor of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. By contrast, maximal desensitization induced in lysates by isoproterenol was only approximately 50% attenuated by the protein kinase inhibitor. In the lysate preparations, isoproterenol was also shown to induce, in a stereospecific fashion, phosphorylation of the beta-adrenergic receptor. Phosphorylation promoted by isoproterenol was attenuated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor to the same extent as desensitization (i.e. approximately 50%). Phorbol diesters also promoted receptor desensitization and phosphorylation in cell lysates. The desensitization was mimicked by incubation of isolated turkey erythrocyte membranes with partially purified preparations of protein kinase C plus phorbol diesters. In the cell lysate, calmodulin also promoted receptor phosphorylation and desensitization which was blocked by EGTA. Desensitization of adenylate cyclase by isoproterenol, phorbol diesters, and calmodulin was not observed to be additive. These findings suggest that: (a) multiple protein kinase systems, including cAMP-dependent, protein kinase C-dependent, and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinases, are capable of regulating beta-adrenergic receptor function via phosphorylation reactions and that (b) cAMP may not be the sole mediator of isoproterenol-induced phosphorylation and desensitization in these cells.     

On the sexual reproduction ofDictyosiphon foeniculaceus (Phaeophyceae,Dictyosiphonales)

Dictyosiphon foeniculaceus from Sweden and Newfoundland was studied in laboratory culture. Zoids from unilocular sporangia developed into dioecious microscopic filamentous gametophytes which produced uniseriate plurilocular gametangia in low temperatures (0 to 8 °C). Zygotes and unfused isogametes gave rise to filamentous protonemata on which parenchymatous macroscopic sporophytes were formed. Isolates from Sweden and Newfoundland were interfertile. Although formed in culture, genetically unisexual sporophytes were not detected in nature. Female gametes ofD. foeniculaceus produced a sexual pheromone. It was identified as finavarrene, which is also known as the sperm attractant inAscophyllum nodosum.