Factor XIII-mediated cross-linking of NH2-terminal peptide of alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor to fibrin

The NH2-terminal 12-residue peptide of alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor, Asn-Gln-Glu-Gln-Val-Ser-Pro-Leu-Thr-Gly-Leu-Lys-NH2 . AcOH, was found to be a good substrate for plasma transglutaminase (activated blood coagulation factor XIII) and rapidly incorporated into fibrin by the enzyme. A high concentration of the peptide inhibited the enzyme-mediated cross-linking of alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor to fibrin probably by competing with the inhibitor for the same site of fibrin alpha-chain.     

Genetics of insect hemolymph α-mannosidase in the silkworm,Bombyx mori

The genetics of hemolymph alpha-mannosidase was investigated in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. By selecting individuals showing either high or low enzyme activities, homozygotes were separated, with activities varying about five-fold. No differences in the activities of beta-galactosidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase were observed. Thus, it seems that high- and low-enzyme silkworms (High and Low Lines) share the same genetic background except for the gene concerning the activity of alpha-mannosidase. The synthesis of the enzyme is controlled by an autosomal allele. Furthermore, expression of the gene varies from tissue to tissue, and there is no correlation between enzyme activity and growth rate. The difference in activity between High and Low lines is due to the amount of active enzyme, not to an endogeneous activator or inhibitor. There was no isozymic difference in alpha-mannosidase.     

The relationship between glutamate deamination and gluconeogenesis in kidney.

The effect of 3-mercaptopicolinate, an inhibitor of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase [GTP:oxaloacetate carboxy-lyase (transphosphorylating), EC 4.1.1.32], was tested on NH3 formation via the purine nucleotide cycle and glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.2). NH3 excretion in rats increased 70-fold after 48 h of NH4Cl feeding, from 12.2 +/- 4.5 to 862 +/- 190 mumol/mg of creatinine. At 4 h after a single intraperitoneal injection of 3-mercaptopicolinate into NH4Cl-fed rats, NH3 excretion was inhibited by 93%. Kidneys of NH4Cl-fed plus 3-mercaptopicolinate-treated rats, compared with those of NH4Cl-fed rats, showed a 3.5-fold increase in the content of IMP, 5-fold increase in adenylosuccinate, 4-fold increase in aspartate, and a 30% increase in AMP. 3-Mercaptopicolinate completely inhibited NH3 and glucose formation from glutamate in tubules from acidotic rats and NH3 formation from aspartate in kidney perfusion experiments. When transamination in tubules was prevented by 2-amino-4-methoxy-trans-but-3-enoic acid, formation of glucose, but not of NH3, from glutamate was inhibited. 3-Mercaptopicolinate completely inhibited NH3 formation from aspartate in the presence of the aminotransferase inhibitor in kidney tubules. The data show that NH3 can be formed via glutamate dehydrogenase and the purine nucleotide cycle at significant and approximately equal rates. 3-Mercaptopicolinate has no direct effect on NH3 formation via glutamate dehydrogenase, but inhibits that via the purine nucleotide cycle. We conclude that gluconeogenesis is not regulatory for NH3 formation in kidney.     

Some observations on the solitary male among Japanese monkeys

The social behavior pattern of a solitary male at Koshima was studied by means of radio-telemetry. The relationship between the solitary males and the troop was estimated from radio-tracking data of the former's location and movement, and by direct observation of the latter at each corresponding hour.For most of day, the solitary male stayed within a distance of about 20 to 150 m from the central part of the troop, occasionally approaching it. His movement also was synchronized with that of the troop. For two nights, the solitary male slept at places which were about 200 m from the sleeping sites of the troop and faced them across the beach. The relationship between the solitary male and the troop did not seem to be strongly antagonistic.It can be assumed that the solitary male was moving according to certain pre-determined relationships or social contacts with the troop. The example of this solitary male shows the existence of the solitary male that follows and maintains contact with the troop, even outside the copulatory season.This study was sponsored by Scientific Research Grant No. 91620 of the Ministry of Education to the Japan Monkey Centre.     

Praziquantel-induced secretion of proteolytic enzyme from Schistosoma mansoni cercariae

The effect of praziquantel (PZQ) on secretion of proteolytic enzyme by Schistosoma mansoni cercariae was examined using an azocoll assay. The cercariae secreted proteolytic enzyme in various concentrations of PZQ (0.1, 1, and 10 micrograms/ml), but secretion of enzyme was highest at the lowest concentration. PZQ-induced secretion of proteolytic enzyme was partially inhibited by treatment with verapamil and ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)N,N,N',N'-tetra-acetic acid but not by calmodulin antagonist W-7 and protein kinase C inhibitor H-7.     

Interconversion of polyamines in wild-type strains and mutants of yeasts and the effects of polyamines on their growth

Yeasts of wild-type strains, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Candida albicans were shown to have the ability to form aminopropylcadaverine and aminopropylhomospermidine from cadaverine and homospermidine, respectively. A polyamine autotroph S. cerevisiae 179-5, which lacks ornithine decarboxylase, produced both aminopropylcadaverine and aminopropylhomospermidine, while another mutant S. cerevisiae Y 260 A, which lacks spermine synthase, formed only aminopropylcadaverine. Naturally-occurring triamines and tetraamines except norspermidine and norspermine stimulated the growth of S. cerevisiae 179-5. All the six aliphatic diamines with carbon chain length ranging from one to six were effective in activating the growth of S. cerevisiae 179-5, though all of them were not converted to either triamines or tetraamines.     

Restricted movement of the fluvial form of red-spotted masu salmon,Oncorhynchus masou rhodurus,in a mountain stream,Central Japan

Movement of the fluvial form of red-spotted masu salmon (1⁺ and older),Oncorhynchus masou rhodurus, was studied using mark-recapture methods in a Japanese mountain stream. Most (63–91%) adult salmon were recaptured in the pool in which they were marked. The rest of the salmon moved upstream or downstream <20m during the non-breeding period. The proportion of the salmon moving increased slightly during the breeding period, but did not exceed 66%. The distance moved was also more variable during this period. The proportion of the smaller salmon which moved was larger than that of the larger fish during the non-breeding period. Conversely, during the breeding period, larger fish moved more frequently. Sedentary behaviour and local movements of adult salmon seem to be affected by their social relationships.