The cyanine dye triS-C4(5) as a cationic uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation: interaction with mitochondria detected by derivative spectrophotometry

Derivative spectrophotometry was used to study the interaction of the cationic uncoupler triS-C4(5) with mitochondria. The uncoupling action of this dye is dependent on the presence of Pi in the incubation medium. The second derivative spectrum of the dye changed with the incubation period, becoming similar to the spectrum in chloroform; but, after a time, the spectral pattern reverted to the original spectrum. The change in the spectrum in the presence of Pi was much more rapid than in its absence. The degree of spectral change agreed with the relative amount of bound dye determined directly. Thus, the spectral change reflects the binding of dye to the mitochondria, dependent on their energy state. The greater binding without Pi does not cause uncoupling but does cause shrinkage. In contrast, the lesser binding in the presence of Pi causes uncoupling and the swelling of mitochondria. These facts indicate that the dye does not penetrate the mitochondrial membrane. This refutes the idea that uncoupling by lipophilic cations is caused by the electrophoretic transfer of the uncoupler to the mitochondrial matrix space.     

Isolation and characterization of hemorrhagic factors a and b from the venom of the Chinese habu snake (Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus)

Hemorrhagic factors a and b were isolated from Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus venom by Sephadex G-100, CM-Sephadex C-50 and DEAE-Sephacel column chromatographies. The hemorrhagic factors were homogeneous, as established by a single band on acrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Molecular weights of 15 000 and 27 000 were found for hemorrhagic factors a and b, respectively. Factor a possesses proteolytic activity hydrolyzing the His(10)-Leu(11), Tyr(16)-Leu(17) and Arg(22)-Gly(23) bonds of oxidized insulin B chain, whereas, factor b hydrolyzed only the Ala(14)-Leu(15) bond. Hemorrhagic activity of these hemorrhagic factors was inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 1,10-phenanthroline or p-chloromercuribenzoate, but not by soybean trypsin inhibitor or diisopropyl fluorophosphate. The hemorrhagic factors were injected into the skin of the back of albino rabbits, and the minimum hemorrhagic dose of factors a and b was 1.7 and 2.3 μg, respectively. These purified hemorrhagic factors were not lethal at 15 μg/g in mice. Factor a hydrolyzed the Bβ chain of fibrinogen, while factor b hydrolyzed the Aα chain. Hemorrhagic factor a was shown to differ immunologically from factor b. Factors a and b produced systemic hemorrhage in internal organs such as the heart and stomach of mice. Moreover, factor b produced hemorrhage in the liver.     

Enhancement of apparent thermostability of lipase from Rhizopus sp. by the treatment with a microbial transglutaminase

Crude lipase from Rhizopus sp. was moderately stable against heat treatment at 45 °C. However, after incubation for 1 h at 25 °C with Streptoverticillium transglutaminase (MTG), the half-life of crude lipase in the heat treatment was increased more than 10-fold compared to that of untreated one. The result can be ascribed by the MTGase-mediated crosslinking of contaminating proteins that affect the apparent thermostability of lipase in the crude sample.