A novel monoantennary complex-type sugar chain found in octopus rhodopsin: occurrence of the Gal{beta}1->4Fuc group linked to the proximal N-acetylglucosaniine residue of the trimannosyl core

The N-linked sugar chains were liberated as oligosaccha-ridesfrom octopus rhodopsin by hydrazinolysis. Most of the oligosaccharideswere neutral, and separated into two major components by columnchromatography using immobilized lectins and Bio-Gel P-4. Structuralanalysis of the one major component by sequential exoglycosidasedigestion, chemical fragmentation in combination with meth-ylationanalysis revealed that it is a nonasaccharide; Man16(Gaiβ13GlcNAcβ12Man13)Manβ14GlcNAcβ14(Galβ14Fuc16)GlcNAcThis structure is quite unique in that a novel galactosylatedfucose residue is attached to the reducing terminal N-acetyl-glucosamineresidue. galactosylated Fuc N-linked sugar chain novel structure octopus rhodopsin     

Effect of salt on photocycle and ion-pumping of halorhodopsin and third rhodopsinlike pigment of Halobacterium halobium

The cytoplasmic membranes of Halobacterium halobium contain at least three retinal pigments: bacteriorhodopsin (bR), halorhodopsin (hR), and a third rhodopsinlike pigment (tR). The amplitudes of the phototransient in the photolysis of hR and tR were measured in various salt solutions. Halogen ion (except fluoride) was required to retain the photocycle of hR. Parallels between the amplitude of the phototransient of hR and the magnitude of the photo-induced tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP+) uptake suggests that hR is a light-driven halogen pump, which supports the hypothesis by Schobert and Lanyi (J. Biol. Chem., 1982, 257:10306-10313). The order of effectiveness of halogen was Br- greater than Cl- greater than I-. On the other hand, no specific ion was required to retain the photocycle of tR, and tR was concluded to be nonelectrogenic.     

Effect of 1alphaOH-vitamin D3 in a case of pseudohypoparathyroidism.

A 37-year-old woman with typical features of pseudohypoparathyroidism (chronic tetany, paresthesia, persistent hypocalcemia, round face, short stature, short metacarpals and metatarsals, cucutaneous calcification and lack of response to exogenous and endogenous parathyroid hormone as regards urinary phosphate and cyclic AMP excretion) was treated with oral administration of 2 microgram/day of 1alphaOH-vitamin D3. Serum calcium started to rise within 3 days returning to the normal level with disappearance of symptoms referrable to hypocalcemia. Such a favorable effect of a small dose of 1alphaOH-vitamin D3 in a patient with typical hypoparathyroidism suggests an important role of disturbance of 1alpha-hydroxylation of vitamin D3 by the kidney in the pathogenesis of calcium and phosphorus abnormality in this disease. Forty-four cases of pseudohypoparathyroidism in the Japanese literature were briefly reviewed.     

Rat alpha1-acid glycoprotein. Purification and immunological estimation of its serum concentration.

A rapid method is described for the preparation of serum alpha1-acid glycoprotein from rats with inflammation induced with turpentine oil injection. The protein obtained by two purification steps, batchwise adsorption with DEAE-cellulose followed by chromatography on CM-cellulose, was proved to be native alpha1-acid glycoprotein in a high degree of purity by electrophoretical, immunological, ultracentrifugal and carbohydrate analysis. The monospecific and potent antiserum to this protein was prepared by immunizing rabbits with the desialyzed material emulsified with Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Using purified alpha1-acid glycoprotein and its specific antiserum, the concentration of alpha1-acid glycoprotein in rat serum was determined by single radial immunodiffusion. Abnormally high levels of its concentration (5-6 times higher than the control) were observed in inflammatory and tumor bearing rats.     

Prevention of varicella in urgent cases by passive transfer of vaccine-induced immunity

For the purpose of preventing spread of infection to high risk children whose immunities were severely impaired by intensive chemotherapy or for some other reason, when cases of varicella occurred in a children's ward or in a family, healthy adults (mothers and a doctor) were immediately given live varicella vaccine, blood was collected from these adults 5 to 7 days after vaccination and the whole blood or plasma including the buffy coat was transferred in the high risk children. Subsequently the children showed little or no clinical reaction, and follow-up studies by the neutralizing test and skin test with varicella antigen indicated that their inapparent or subclinical varicella infection occurred in them and that their immunity to varicella was lasting. Skin tests with varicella antigen showed that booster reaction occurred in adults with a previous history of varicella as early as 5 to 7 days after vaccination. The cellular immunity thus induced in the donors may have played a role in preventing a clinical reaction in the high risk children. Thus passive transfer of vaccine-induced immunity seems a convenient and effective method for preventing infection in subjects whose immune capacities are severely impaired.     

Purification of membrane-bound polyvinyl alcohol oxidase in Pseudomonas sp. VM15C

Abstract Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was utilized by a symbiotic mixed culture which was composed of Pseudomonas putida VM15A and Pseudomonas sp. VM14C. The PVA oxidase was found in the culture fluid, membrane, and cytosol fractions of VM15C. The membrane-bound PVA oxidase was purified by several steps of chromatography. The enzyme (p I = 9.6) exhibited the maximum activity at pH 8.0 to 8.4 and 45°C, and utilized secondary alcohol as well as PVA. The enzyme showed the PVA dehydrogenating activity linking with phenazine ethosulfate, indicating the possibility that PVA oxidation is coupled with an electron transport chain on the bacterial membrane.     

The disappearance rate of intraventricular bradykinin in the brain of the conscious rat

To explore the possibility that cyclic nucleotides control green algal growth and division, $\text{Chlamydomonas}$ chemostat cultures were assayed for cyclic nucleotides. Substantial qualities of cAMP were found in cells and in extracellular millieu. Most cGMP molecules were extracellular. Slowing cell growth by slowing chemostat dilution caused reversible changes in cellular morphology and cyclic nucleotide levels. During slowed growth cAMP level increased dramatically; cGMP level decreased. New cells resulting from division were not released from original cell wall.     

Production of itaconic acid by Aspergillus terreus immobilized in polyacrylamide gels

Summary Living Aspergillus terreus cells were entrapped in polyacrylamide gels and employed in both replacement batch and continuous column reactors to produce itaconic acid from glucose.With the replacement batch reactor, maximum itaconic acid productivity was observed under the following conditions: pH 2.50, temperature at 35°C, addition of NH₄H₂PO₄ and MgSO₄·7H₂O. Using the continuous reactor, the maximum itaconic acid yield was 60 mg/h/40 g of gel. The biocatalyst activity or half-life was about 10 days.     

Down modulation of N-myc, heat-shock protein 70, and nucleolin during the differentiation of human neuroblastoma cells.

Cultured human neuroblastoma (GOTO) cells were induced to differentiate by dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2cAMP) and/or retinoic acid (RA). A combination of Bt2cAMP (1 mM) and RA (1 microM) yielded the most significant networks of neurites after 3 to 4 days, this being associated with the reduction of N-myc mRNA levels. Next, we examined several cellular genes that were possibly linked with changes in N-myc gene expression under these conditions. Among the genes examined, both nucleolin and a major heat-shock protein (hsp70) mRNAs showed changes concomitant with those in N-myc mRNA levels when induced by Bt2cAMP and RA. Dibutyryl cAMP alone induced several short cellular processes and caused a marked decrease in N-myc mRNA within 2 days. RA alone induced a few long and straight neurites along the longitudinal axis of individual cells and a significant decrease in growth rate but showed neither network formation nor a decrease in N-myc gene expression. These results indicate differential effects of Bt2cAMP and RA on the regulatory mechanisms of both cell proliferation and differentiation and also indicate a possible association of expression of N-myc gene with those of hsp70 and nucleolin genes.