Electron microscopic observations on the fate of hypertrophic chondrocytes in condylar cartilage of rat mandible

The present study focused on the hypertrophic cell zone and the adjacent region of primary spongiosa in the mandibular condylar cartilage in growing rats (3 to 7 weeks old). In this cartilage, chondrocytes were not arranged in columns, and there was no clear distinction between longitudinal and transverse septum. The hypertrophic chondrocytes were not surrounded entirely by calcified matrix, and capillaries were in close contact with cartilage cells. The staining intensity of the pericellular matrix decreased in the lower hypertrophic cell zone in comparison with that in the upper part of the hypertrophic cell zone. Electron microscopic examinations indicated that the lowest hypertrophic cells contained lysosomes and pinocytotic vesicles. Some hypertrophic chondrocytes appeared to have been released from their lacunae and were observed in the region of the primary spongiosa. Hence it is suggested that the lowest hypertrophic chondrocytes in the rat mandibular condyle do not die but are released from their lacunae into the bone marrow. Further study is needed to determine whether or not these cells do indeed become osteoblasts and/or chondroclasts.     

Mode of binding of adriamycin with sulfatide-containing liposomes

Association constants and maximum binding numbers of sulfatide- and phosphatidylserine (PS)-containing liposomes for their binding with adriamycin (ADM) were determined by the column equilibration method. Although these liposomes have two kinds of binding sites, hydrophobic and electrostatic, the majority of ADM molecules was associated with the liposomes via their latter binding sites. Since the association constant for the electrostatic binding of ADM was smaller in sulfatide-containing liposomes (3 x 10(3) M-1) than in PS-containing ones (1.1 x 10(4) M-1), high efficiency of sulfatide-containing liposomes for the entrapment of ADM might be explained by the effect of sulfatide making the liposomes rigid, thereby preventing the leakage of the entrapped ADM.     

Acidic fibroblast growth factor prevents death of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells following ischemia.

Ischemic insult induces neuronal death in the CA1 subfields of the hippocampus which are designated generally as the most vulnerable brain region. Recent studies have shown that acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors are potent trophic factors that support the survival of neurons in many brain regions including the hippocampus. Here we demonstrate that continuous infusion of acidic fibroblast growth factor into the lateral cerebral ventricles beginning 2 days before ischemia prevents the death of the CA1 pyramidal cells in the hippocampus of gerbils. Furthermore, delayed continuous administration of acidic fibroblast growth factor starting 5 min after ischemia is equally protective. The results suggest a possible physiological function for acidic fibroblast growth factor in the normal support of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells and neurons in some other brain regions in considering the broad spectrum of responsive neurons.     

Effect of Supra-High Irradiation on the Photosynthetic System of the Cyanophyte Synechocystis PCC 6714

Stability of thylakoid components under supra-high irradiancewas studied with the cyanophyte Synechocystis PCC 6714. Theactivity of overall photosynthesis was quickly inactivated (T_1/2=20min) under supra-high irradiance (300 W m^–2, white light).In parallel with the inactivation of photosynthesis, QA in PSII was also inactivated. Both inactivations were acceleratedby chloramphenicol (CAP) addition. The reactivation of PS IIrequired weak irradiation and was suppressed by CAP. However,PS I measured as P700 was very stable. The level of PS I measuredas P700 was not significantly reduced by the irradiation for12 h even in the presence of CAP while the level of Cyt b₅₅₉,component of PS II, was decreased markedly. The function ofPS I before and after supra-high irradiation with CAP was examinedby comparing sizes of P700 oxidation induced by a short flash,by a continuous light, and by determination of O₂-and ferredoxin-reduction.No difference was observed in PS I actions before and afterthe irradiation treatment. These results indicate that the PSI complex is very tolerant of supra-high irradiation. However,the cells grown under supra-high irradiance contained much fewerPS I and PS II complexes than Cyt b₆–f complexes. Theformer levels were reduced to a half to one fourth of thosebefore growth while the level of Cyt b₆–f complex wasnot reduced so much. A possible mechanism for changes in thylakoidcomposition under supra-high irradiation was discussed. (Received February 16, 1991; Accepted June 12, 1991)     

Bacterial NADH-quinone oxidoreductases

The NADH-quinone oxidoreductases of the bacterial respiratory chain could be divided in two groups depending on whether they bear an energy-coupling site. Those enzymes that bear the coupling site are designated as NADH dehydrogenase 1 (NDH-1) and those that do not as NADH dehydrogenase 2 (NDH-2). All members of the NDH-1 group analyzed to date are multiple polypeptide enzymes and contain noncovalently bound FMN and iron-sulfur clusters as prosthetic groups. The NADH-ubiquinone-1 reductase activities of NDH-1 are inhibited by rotenone, capsaicin, and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The NDH-2 enzymes are generally single polypeptides and contain non-covalently bound FAD and no iron-sulfur clusters. The enzymatic activities of the NDH-2 are not affected by the above inhibitors for NDH-1. Recently, it has been found that both of these types of the NADH-quinone oxidoreductase are present in a single strain of bacteria. The significance of the occurrence of these two types of enzymes in a single organism has been discussed in this review.     

Mutual interactions between optic lobe circadian pacemakers in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus

The coupling mechanism between the bilaterally paired optic lobe circadian pacemakers in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus was investigated by recording locomotor activity, under constant light or constant red light, after the optic nerve was unilaterally severed.

Quantitation of specific mRNA by RNA-RNA hybridization kinetics with single-stranded riboprobes

A quantitative procedure by a solution hybridization involving RNA-RNA hybridization kinetics was developed for measurement of specific mRNA accumulated in particular tissues and cells. For quantitating mouse beta-tubulin mRNA two types of riboprobes were prepared: one was a truncated RNA covering only the coding portion of beta-tubulin cDNA and the other was a non-truncated RNA covering the vector portion as well as the coding portion. These antisense RNAs were hybridized with mouse brain total cellular RNA, yielding heat-stable hybrids. Both the truncated and non-truncated antisense RNA probes showed similar hybridization kinetics. Hybridization of the sense RNA, consisting of the beta-tubulin coding portion, with the antisense RNA probe gave standards for determining the proportion of beta-tubulin mRNA in total brain RNA. By this method, the amounts of beta-tubulin mRNA included in the brains of 10- and 50-day-old mice were quantitated to be 0.0056 and 0.0011% of total RNA, respectively.     

Occurrence in humans and guinea pigs of the gene related to their missing enzyme L-gulono-gamma-lactone oxidase

Humans, other primates, and guinea pigs are missing an enzyme L-gulono-gamma-lactone oxidase which catalyzes the last step of L-ascorbic acid biosynthesis. We have recently isolated a cDNA encoding this enzyme of the rat (T. Koshizaka, M. Nishikimi, T. Ozawa, and K. Yagi (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 1619-1621). Northern blot hybridization using this cDNA as a probe demonstrated that guinea pigs lack mRNA for L-gulono-gamma-lactone oxidase. Nevertheless, existence of a DNA sequence related to this enzyme in the genome of this animal was shown by Southern blot hybridization. The human genome was also found to contain a sequence that is hybridizable with the cDNA probe; however, the degree of hybridization was less than those of hybridization with the L-gulono-gamma-lactone oxidase genes of animals possessing the enzyme, suggesting that the human L-gulono-gamma-lactone oxidase gene has diverged more rapidly than the genes of L-ascorbic acid-synthesizing species. This hypothesis was confirmed by comparison of a partial nucleotide sequence of the human gene with that of the rat one. The L-gulono-gamma-lactone oxidase-related sequences in the guinea pig and human genomes may represent the remnants of the gene of the enzyme that were once active but became nonfunctional during the course of evolution.     

Endothelin: a new inhibitor of renin release

Endothelin is a recently-discovered vasoconstrictor peptide which is produced by endothelium and acts on vascular smooth muscle cells. At present its actions on other organs or cells are unknown. We studied the effect of endothelin on renin release in a dynamic superfusion system of dispersed rat juxtaglomerular (JG) cells. Endothelin in concentrations of 10(-11) M or more inhibited renin release dose-dependently and this inhibitory action vanished in the absence of extracellular Ca. It is suggested that endothelin is an inhibitory regulator of renin secretion from JG cells and its action is Ca-dependent.     

Identification of jasmonic acid in Mimosa pudica and its inhibitory effect on auxin- and light-induced opening of the pulvinules

Jasmonic acid was identified from Mimosa pudica L. plants by mass spectrometry, high performance liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography. Effects of authentic jasmonic acid on pulvinule movement and transpiration of the pinnae were compared with those of abscisic acid. Jasmonic acid and abscisic acid each at 10⁻⁵ M inhibited both auxin- and light-induced opening of the pulvinules. A closure-inducing activity of jasmonic acid at 10⁻⁴ M was greater than that of abscisic acid at 10⁻⁴ M. Pinnae transpiration was reduced by 10⁻⁵ M abscisic acid but not by 10⁻⁴ M jasmonic acid.