Plasmids of serogroup 1 strains ofLegionella pneumophila

Twelve strains ofLegionella pneumophila were tested for the presence of plasmid DNA. Three strains, belonging to serogroup 1, had large plasmids of 83.8×10⁶ daltons, as determined by electron microscopy. A fourth strain, also from serogroup 1, had a similar large plasmid in addition to a smaller plasmid. Restriction analysis of plasmid DNA isolated from the strains with a single size plasmid indicated that the plasmids were structurally very similar. The biologic functions of these plasmids are yet to be determined.     

An approach to the identification of adenosine''s inhibitory site on adenylate cyclase

The separate and combined effects of molybdate and dithiothreitol on the stability of human uterine 9 S estrogen receptor were studied. Maximal, short-term, protection of the 9 S estrogen receptor was achieved by the joint inclusion of both stabilizing agents in cytosol buffers. This molybdate—dithiothreitol-mediated stability was dependent on reducing agent concentration inferring sulphydryl involvement in 9 S receptor protection by molybdate. The study also showed that molybdate—dithiothreitol could not prevent the gradual decay of the 9 S estrogen receptor to the 4 S form in cytosols stored at 4°C over prolonged periods.     

Interactions among coexisting larval Odonata: an in situ experiment using small enclosures

Field experiments using small replicated enclosures focused on interactions between larval populations of Epitheca cynosura and Ladona deplanata (Odonata: Anisoptera) — two species that emerge in early spring. The presence of Epitheca reduced the total biomass of Ladona, but Ladona had no significant effect on Epitheca. These early-emerging species reduced the biomass of small instars of late-emerging Anisoptera which colonized enclosures during the experiments; and the late-emerging Anisoptera seem to have inhibited colonization by Zygoptera larvae. Results are consistent with the importance of predatory (cannibalism or mutual predation) interactions in this community.     

Neutralization of native human gamma interferon (HuIFN gamma) by antibodies to a synthetic peptide encoded by the 5' end of HuIFN gamma cDNA

A synthetic peptide corresponding to the N-terminal amino acid sequence of human gamma-interferon (HuIFN gamma), based on the cDNA sequence, was used to produce antibodies in rabbits that were reactive with native HuIFN gamma. Antibodies from all immunized rabbits neutralized the antiviral activity of HuIFN gamma. Significant neutralization of other HuIFN and mouse IFN was not observed. The peptide had the sequence Cys-Tyr-Cys-Gln-Asp-Pro-Tyr-Val-Lys-Glu-Ala-Glu-Asn-Leu-Lys-Lys-Tyr-Phe-Asn-Ala ,and was coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin by disulfide linkage with the use of cystamine. The specificity of the antibodies produced to the peptide was compared to that of antibodies produced to native HuIFN gamma by neutralization of HuIFN gamma and by reactivity with peptide in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The ratio of anti-peptide antibody neutralization of HuIFN gamma vs reactivity with peptide in the ELISA was at least 28-fold lower than for anti-HuIFN gamma antibody. Thus the antibodies to peptide and to HuIFN gamma were directed primarily against different determinants on native HuIFN gamma or the anti-HuIFN gamma antiserum probably contained antibodies to additional determinants. The anti-peptide antibodies should be useful for further characterization and purification of HuIFN gamma.     

Effect of α-Methylphenylalanine and Phenylalanine on Brain Polyribosomes and Protein Synthesis

Abstract: A chronic hyperphenylalanemia was effectively produced in developing mice by daily administrations of phenylalanine (2 mg/g body wt) and a phenylalanine hydroxylase inhibitor α-methyl-D, L-phenylalanine (0.43 mg/g body wt). The presence of α-methylphenylalanine in newborn mice inhibited 65–70% of hepatic phenylalanine hydroxylase activity within 12 h. Since this maximum inhibition persisted for 24 h or longer, decreased enzyme activity was maintained by daily administrations. Whereas concentrations of phenylalanine increased approximately 40-fold in both plasma and brain following injection of α-methylphenylalanine and phenylalanine, plasma levels of tyrosine were not altered significantly. Concomitant with changes in phenylalanine concentrations we observed the brain polyribosomes' disaggregation, which reached a maximum 3 h after injection and persisted as long as 18 h. Polyribosomes did not become refractory to as many as 10 daily injections of α-methylphenylalanine and phenylalanine. In addition to polyribosome disaggregation, chronic hyperphenylalanemia reduced the rates of polypeptide chain elongation on polyribosomes isolated from brain homogenates.     

The effect of blue light on free and esterified phenolic acids in etiolated gherkin tissues

The major phenolic acid found in gherkin tissues is p-coumaric acid, although cinnamic and caffeic acids are also present; these occur both free an     

Rapid return of cyclo-oxygenase active platelets in dogs after a single oral dose of aspirin

A single dose of oral aspirin in human subjects inhibits the aggregation response of platelets to arachidonate and other agents for approximately one week after ingestion. In the present study we have evaluated the rate at which cyclo-oxygenase active platelets return to the circulation in humans and dogs and compared the response curves obtained to improvements in cyclo-oxygenase activity produced by the aspirin platelets. After a single dose of aspirin, dog platelet function was compromised for several days. Normal responses to arachidonate and other aggregating agents were restored six days after aspirin, and the pattern of recovery was the same for dogs and human subjects. However, cyclo-oxygenase active platelets returned to the circulation in dogs more rapidly than in humans and chemical competence was restored in both species well before correction of the defective response to aggregating agents. The delay of 1-3 days before return of significant numbers of cyclo-oxygenase active platelets most likely reflects acetylation of bone marrow megakaryocytes by the drug. More rapid return of chemically competent cells in dogs than humans probably relates to the more rapid turnover and shorter life span of canine platelets. The basis for the discrepancy in return of chemical integrity compared to functional activity after aspirin in vivo compared to simultaneous correction of chemistry and function when 10% normal platelets are added to aspirin platelets in vitro remains unresolved.     

Some electrophysiological consequences of electrogenic sodium and potassium transport in cardiac muscle: a theoretical study

A previous paper described a kinetic model for electrogenic sodium-potassium transport in cardiac muscle, combining a thermodynamically-constrained transport model with simple passive permeabilities for sodium and potassium to generate a cardiac action potential (Chapman, Kootsey & Johnson, 1979). The present paper explores the extent to which this simplest of active-passive transport models can account (without further modification) for the electrophysiological behavior of cardiac muscle. The long term (several minutes) changes in the duration of the action potential observed following a change in stimulation rate are predicted by the model through a shift in the steady-state current-voltage relationship caused by small changes in inside ion concentrations. The diastolic hyperpolarization observed following an increase in rate is also predicted, including the linear relationship between the maximum diastolic depolarization and the rate of stimulation. Varying the outside potassium concentration in the model produces changes in the rest potential and current-voltage relationship similar to published data. Deviations from ideal potassium electrode behavior occur at both high and low concentrations because of effects on the pump. The model not only predicts the observed shift of the current-voltage curve in the depolarizing direction with increasing [K⁺]₀, but also the crossing of the curve in normal [K ⁺]₀ without having to assume a variation in g_K. Anoxia was introduced into the model by changing the concentrations of ATP and ADP, thereby enabling the model to account for the rapid diastolic depolarization observed in myocardial ischemia.