Biosynthesis of various types of collagen by human hepatoma cells in vitro

A cloned human hepatoma cell line (HH2-1) produced and formed collagen fibers in vitro. The relative rate of collagen synthesis by the cells was increased with an enhancement of the cell density. An analysis of the components of the collagen using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the cells synthesized interstitial collagen, types I and III, and other collagenous proteins. Thus, human hepatoma cells may play an important role in the formation of stromal collagen in the tumor.     

Amine oxidase in unicellular microorganismsMethanosarcina barkeri andTetrahymena pyriformis

A comparison has been performed of catalytic properties of unicellular microorganism amine oxidases (AO) from two new enzyme sources, the bacteriumMethanosarcina barkeri and the infusoriaTetrahymena pyriformis. It was shown that the both studied AO deaminate tyramine, serotonin, and benzylamine, but do not deaminate histamine. The AO fromMethanosarcina barkeri catalyzes deamination of all three substrates at an identical rate, while the rate of tyramine deamination under effect of AO fromTetrahymena pyriformis is one order higher than the rate of serotonin deamination, and about two orders higher than the rate of benzylamine deamination. Based on the data of the substrate-inhibitor analysis, a suggestion was made about the existence of one center for the substrate binding in the AO of the studied bacterium, while several centers in the AO of the studied infusoria.     

Sampling for Explosives-Residues at Fort Greely,Alaska

Fort Greely, Alaska has an extensive complex of weapon training and testing areas located on lands withdrawn from the public domain under the Military Lands Withdrawal Act (PL106-65). The Army has pledged to implement a program to identify possible munitions contamination. Because of the large size (344,165,000 m²) of the high hazard impact areas, characterization of these constituents will be difficult. We used an authoritative sampling design to find locations most likely to contain explosives-residues on three impact areas. We focused our sampling on surface soils and collected multi-increment and discrete samples at locations of known firing events and from areas on the range that had craters, pieces of munitions, targets, or a designation as a firing point. In the two impact areas used primarily by the Army, RDX was the most frequently detected explosive. In the impact area that was also used by the Air Force, TNT was the most frequently detected explosive. Where detected, the explosives concentrations generally were low (<0.05 mg/kg) except in soils near low-order detonations, where the explosive-filler was in contact with the soil surface. These low-order detonations potentially can serve as localized sources for groundwater contamination if positioned in recharge areas.     

Characterization of a transferrin-diphtheria toxin conjugate

We report here the synthesis and properties of a hybrid toxin prepared by covalently coupling diphtheria toxin to transferrin. The purified material contained two major hybrid protein species and was highly cytotoxic to mouse LMTK- cells in culture, reducing protein synthesis by 50% in 24 h at a concentration of 1 ng/ml. Cytotoxic activity was completely abolished in the presence of exogenous transferrin or anti-transferrin or anti-diphtheria toxin, thus demonstrating that the hybrid toxin was intoxicating cells via their transferrin receptors and that both the diphtheria toxin and transferrin components of the conjugate were necessary for activity. NH4Cl, a drug that elevates the pH within acidic intracellular vesicles, also blocked cytotoxic activity, suggesting that a low intravesicular pH was required for activity. The inhibitory effect of NH4Cl could be abolished by exposing toxin-treated cells to acidic culture medium, further implicating an acid-dependent step in the mechanism of the hybrid toxin action. Studies on the kinetics of intoxication also implied that endocytosis and exposure to a low pH within vesicles were necessary for cytotoxicity. Altogether, the results suggest that the transferrin-diphtheria toxin conjugate binds to transferrin receptors and is internalized into acidic endocytic vesicles. The enzymatic moiety of diphtheria toxin then apparently enters the cytosol in response to the low pH and subsequently arrests protein synthesis.     

Immunocytochemical detection of triphosphoinositide in vestibular hair cells

Triphosphoinositide (TPI), an aminoglycoside receptor and a possible regulator of cationic permeation through its ability to bind with Ca++, was localized by the protein-A gold technique in vestibular sensory epithelia using an antibody highly specific to TPI. TPI was detected on the stereocilia, kinocilia, and cuticular plate of hair cells, and in the reticular membrane of supporting cells. The cilia of hair cells are damaged by aminoglycosides at a relatively early stage of toxicity. Ca++-regulated bioactivity in this area is probably involved.     

Passive irrigation and functional morphology of crustacean burrows in a tropical mangrove swamp

Flushing measurements and a resin cast of a burrow inhabited by Sesarma messa and Alpheus cf macklay were taken from a Rhizophoraspp. forest. The burrow had 9 openings and occupied a swamp surface area of 0.64 m². Passive irrigation of the burrow was investigated by recording change in conductivity of burrow water in a chamber 45 cm below the swamp surface during tidal inundation of the swamp. The chamber was completely flushed within approximately one hour, i.e. by a single tidal event. Burrow morphology was determined by means of resin casting. The investigated burrow was of discrete structure, with an overall depth of 1.2 m and a total volume of 68 l, i.e. ca. 9% of the volume of swamp soil. The below ground surface area of chambers and tunnels was 3.8 m². The mean and maximum chamber/tunnel diameter was 7 cm and 11 cm respectively. The soil in the close vicinity of the burrow was extensively penetrated by roots, and any two parts of the burrow were located no further than 20 cm away from each other. By reducing diffusion distances within the soil and by being well flushed, the burrows provide an efficient mechanism for removal of excess salt accumulated in the soil around mangrove roots due to exclusion.     

Modulating effect of cerulein on benzodiazepine receptors

Subcutaneous administration of caerulein (100-500 micrograms/kg) significantly reduced the development of picrotoxin (8 mg/kg) seizures in male mice. The same doses of caerulein inhibited 3H-flunitrazepam binding in in vivo experiments. Proglumide, an antagonist of cholecystokinin receptors, in low dose (5 mg/kg) potentiated the effects of caerulein (100 micrograms/kg), whereas the administration of proglumide in high dose (25 mg/kg) reduced the action of caerulein on 3H-flunitrazepam binding and picrotoxin seizures. Caerulein (5-1000 nM) decreased 3H-flunitrazepam binding in in vitro experiments only after supplementation of the binding medium with 120 mM NaCl and 5mM KCl. The results suggest the possible interaction of caerulein with chloride ionophor. It seems probable that the direct interaction of caerulein with chloride ionophor in involved in the inhibitory effect of caerulein on picrotoxin seizures and 3H-flunitrazepam binding.     

Regulation of cardiac cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase

An assay method based on the ability of high concentrations of Mg²⁺ to stimulate phosphorylation of histone in the presence of low concentrations of ATP was developed for the measurement of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratios (activity -cyclic GMP/activity + cyclic GMP). In tissues which contain only trace amounts of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase, the basal activity ratios were high due to interference from a cyclic nucleotide-independent protein kinase. In order to study the regulation of the cardica cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase, factors affecting the equilibrium between the active and inactive forms of the enzyme were determined. Since the rate of dissociation of cyclic GMP from its binding site(s) was relatively slow at 0–4°C at pH 7.0, the amount of time required to process tissue samples was the major limiting factor for preserving the equilibrium between active and inactive forms of the enzyme. Dilution of heart tissue extracts at 0–4°C did not significantly alter the activity ratio of the enzyme under conditions of basal or elevated cyclic GMP levels. Experiments using charcoal or exogenous cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase in the homogenizing medium demonstrated that the release of sequestered cyclic GMP was not responsible for the elevation of the cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratios by agents like acetylcholine. Therefore, the assay reflected in part, at least, the retention of kinase-bound cyclic GMP in the tissue extracts. The effects of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside on cyclic GMP levels, the cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratios, and force of contraction were studied in the perfused rat heart. Both agents produced rapid, dose-dependent increases in cardiac cyclic GMP. Optimal concentrations of acetylcholine produced a 2–3-fold increase in the levels of cyclic GMP and an increase in the cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratio. No significant effect of acetylcholine on cyclic nucleotide-independent protein kinase activity was observed. Associated witth the acetylcholine-induced protein kinase, factors affecting the equilibrium between the active and inactive forms of the enzyme were determined. Since the rate of dissociation of cyclic GMP from its binding site(s) was relatively slow at 0–4°C at pH 7.0, the amount of time required to process tissue samples was the major limiting factor for preserving the equilibrium between active and inactive forms of the enzyme. Dilution of heart tissue extracts at 0–4°C did not significantly alter the activity ratio of the enzyme under conditions of basal elevated cyclic GMP levels. Experiments using charcoal or exogenous cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase in the homogenizing medium demonstrated that the release of sequestered cyclic GMP was not responsible for the elevation of the cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratios by agents like acetylcholine. Therefore, the assay reflected in part, at least, the retention of kinase-bound cyclic GMP in the tissue extracts. The effects of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside on cyclic GMP levels, the cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratios, and force of contraction were studied in the perfused rat heart. Both agents produced rapid, dose-dependent increases in cardiac cyclic GMP. Optimal concentrations of acetylcholine produced a 2–3-fold increase in the levels of cyclic GMP and an increase in the cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratio. No significant effect of acetylcholine on cyclic nucleotide-independent protein kinase activity was observed. Associated with the acetylcholine-induced increase in cyclic GMP and the cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratio was a reduction in the force of contraction. In contrast, nitroprusside produced little or no increase in the cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratio despite increasing the level of cyclic GMP 8–10-fold. Nitroprusside also had no effect on contractile force. In combination, nitroprusside and acetylcholine produced additive effects on cyclic GMP levels, but protein kinase activation and force of contraction were similar to those seen with acetylcholine alone. The results suggest that the cyclic GMP produced by acetylcholine in the rat heart is coupled to activation of the cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase, while that produced by nitroprusside is not.