Neurochemical Characteristics of Myelin-like Structure in the Chick Retina

Abstract: Certain characteristics of myelin-like structures in the chick retina were examined morphologically and biochemically. Developmental changes of 2', 3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (CNPase) in the chick retina and optic nerve were examined. The measurable activity in the retina was first detected at 16 days of incubation and thereafter, it increased rapidly until 4 weeks post-hatching. By contrast, CNPase activity in the optic nerve reached the maximum level at 4 days post-hatching and maintained a constant level thereafter. The purifed myelin fraction from the chick retina showed higher activity of CNPase, whereas its activity in the retinal homogenate was very low. Hence, it was considered that the myelin fraction from the chick retina is similar to that of CNS myelin with respect to CNPase. Protein profiles of the purified myelin fractions isolated from the chick optic tectum, optic nerve, retina and sciatic nerve were analysed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel elec-trophoresis. Myelin fractions from the chick optic tectum and optic nerve contained basic protein (BP) and Folch-Lees proteolipid protein (PLP). Myelin fraction from the chick sciatic nerve contained BP, P2 and two glycoproteins (PO and 23K). In contrast, retinal myelin fraction contained only BP. PLP, PO, 23K and P2 proteins were definitely undetectable. Electron micrographs revealed that some axons in the optic nerve fiber layer of the chick retina were wrapped by a spiral-structured myelin-like sheath, which showed some differences from those of CNS and PNS myelin sheaths. It was suggested that the origin of the myelin-like structure in the chick retina is other than from oligodendroglia or Schwann cells.     

Participation of a cytochrome b5-like hemoprotein of outer mitochondrial membrane (OM cytochrome b) in NADH-semidehydroascorbic acid reductase activity of rat liver

The participation of a cytochrome b₅-like hemoprotein of outer mitochondrial membrane (OM cytochrome b) in the NADH-semidehydroascorbate (SDA) reductase activity of rat liver was studied. NADH-SDA reductase activity was strongly inhibited by antibodies against OM cytochrome b and NADH-cytochrome b₅ reductase, whereas no inhibition was caused by anti-cytochrome b₅ antibody. NADH-SDA reductase exhibited the same distribution pattern as OM cytochrome b-mediated rotenone-insensitive NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity among various subcellular fractions and submitochondrial fractions. Both activities were localized in outer mitochondrial membrane. These observations suggest that OM cytochrome b-mediated rotenone-insensitive NADH-cytochrome c reductase system participates in the NADH-SDA reductase activity of rat liver.     

Purification and characterization of a catalytic subunit of an adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase from human erythrocyte membranes

Protein kinase [EC 2.7.1.37] of human erythrocyte membranes was solubilized with 0.5 M NaCl in 5 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.7 at 4 degrees C and purified on a CM-Sephadex C-50 column, followed by affinity chromatography on a histone-Sepharose 4B column. The purified protein kinase gave a single band (molecular weight; 41,000) on examination by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The optimum pH of the enzyme was 8.0 and a millimolar range of concentration of Mg2+ was required for its maximum activity. Histone and protamine were well phosphorylated by the protein kinase but casein and phosvitin were poor phosphate acceptors for the enzyme. The enzymic activity was not stimulated by cyclic AMP (cAMP). A cAMP-finding protein from human erythrocyte membranes inhibited the activity of the protein kinase, but the activity was restored with cAMP. A heat stable protein inhibitor from rabbit skeletal muscle also inhibited this enzyme. From these observations, this protein kinase seemed to be a catalytic subunit of the membrane bound cAMP-dependent protein kinase. This enzyme was strongly inhibited with Ca2+ in the presence of 1 mM MgCl2. Various sulfhydryl reagents and polyamines also had inhibitory activity on the protein kinase. Natural substrates of the enzyme were investigated using heat treated membranes and 0.5 M NaCl extracted membrane residues. Band 4.1, 4.2, and 4.5 proteins were phosphorylated but band 2 (spectrin) and band 3 proteins were poor substrates for this protein kinase.     

Different requirement for cytochrome b5 in NADPH-supported O-deethylation of p-nitrophenetole catalyzed by two types of microsomal cytochrome P-450

The role of cytochrome b₅ in the NADPH-supported O-deethylation of p-nitrophenetole catalyzed by cytochrome P-450 was studied with reconstituted systems using two types of cytochrome P-450 (P-450_PB and P-450_MC) purified from rat liver microsomes. The O-deethylation by P-450_PB absolutely required the presence of cytochrome b₅, whereas the same reaction catalyzed by P-450_MC did not require cytochrome b₅. These effects of cytochrome b₅ on the activities of reconstituted systems were confirmed by the use of antibodies to cytochrome b₅. On the other hand, the oxidations of ethylmorphine and aniline by these two types of cytochrome P-450 did not show significant dependence on cytochrome b₅. These observations suggest that the requirement for cytochrome b₅ in NADPH-supported drug oxidations depends not only on the species of cytochrome P-450 catalyzing the reactions, but also on the substrates oxidized.     

Binding of bacterial lipopolysaccharide to histocompatibility-2-complex proteins of mouse lymphocytes.

The membrane binding sites for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were isolated by affinity chromatography of the solubilized membranes prepared from 125I-labeled mouse B-cells and T-cells on an affinity adsorbent prepared by coupling Salmonella minnesota R595 LPS to activated Sepharose 4B. The membrane proteins bound to the affinity adsorbent and eluted with 1.0% Triton X-100 were analyzed according to their mobility on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecylsulphate. These membrane proteins were further identified by immunoprecipitation with specific antisera. Immunoglobulins, possibly immunoglobulins M and D, were identified in the eluate from the B-cell membranes. The histocompatibility-2-complex proteins (H-2D, H-2K and Ia antigens) were also found to be binding sites for LPS on both B-cells and T-cells.     

Mixed cell agglutination reaction of ABO substances in the saliva and determination of human-type ABO blood groups in the cynomolgus monkey.

For detection of ABO substances in the saliva of the cynomolgus monkey, the mixed cell agglutination reaction (MCAR) gave specific and clear results with a very small amount of saliva. Anti-A and anti-B antibodies in the sera of the same species showed the clearest hemagglutination by the saline agglutination method. The combined use of both methods was demonstrated to be easily and accurately applicable to the determination of human-type ABO blood groups of the cynomolgus monkey.     

Activation of mouse splenic lymphocyte guanylate cyclase by calcium ion.

The guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) level in the mouse splenic lymphocytes was increased about 2- to 3-fold by concanavalin A. This increase was completely dependent on the presence of Ca2+ in the medium. Homogenates of mouse splenic lymphocytes contained significant guanylate cyclase [EC 4.6.1.2] activity in both the 105,000 X g (60 min) particulate and supernatant fractions and both fractions required Mn2+ for full activity. Calcium ion (3mM) activated soluble guanylate cyclase 3-fold at a relatively low concentration of Mn2+ (less than 1mM) but inhibited the particulate enzyme slightly at all Mn2+ concentrations tested. Concanavalin A itself did not stimulate either fraction of guanylate cyclase. Thus these results suggest that elevation of the cGMP level in lymphocytes by concanavalin A might be brought about by stimulation of Ca2+ uptake and activation of soluble guanylate cyclase by the latter.     

The impact of land use and climate change on surface runoff and groundwater in Cimanuk watershed,Indonesia

Limnology - The Cimanuk River with a total watershed area of 4010.8 km2 flowing from the Garut Regency to Indramayu Delta is the longest in West Java Province. However, the cumulative...