Metabolism of non-phenolic diarylpropane lignin substructure model compound by Coriolus versicolor

Abstract A lignin substructure model, 1-(4-ethoxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-propane-1,3-diol(I), was actively metabolized by a white-rot fungus Coriolus versicolor in low nitrogen stationary cultures favouring the ligninolytic activity in the fungus. Cleavage of the dimer I between C_α and C_β of the propanoid side chain was the major degradative reaction by the fungus.     

Human ribosomal RNA gene spacer sequences are found interspersed elsewhere in the genome

A cloned EcoRI fragment containing human 18 S rRNA gene sequences was used to screen a gene library to obtain a set of 8 overlapping cloned DNA segments extending into the non-transcribed spacer region of the human ribosomal RNA gene cluster. 19.4 kb of the approx. 43-kb rDNA repeat was obtained in cloned form and mapped with restriction endonucleases. None of the clones obtained extended into 28 S rRNA sequences. A 7-kb region of non-transcribed spacer DNA shared in common between five independent clones was subjected to comparative restriction digests. It was estimated that sequences among the five different spacer isolated varied by not more than 1.0%, if all the observed differences are assumed due to point mutation. HaeII-restriction fragments from within this same 7-kb region contain sequences carried not only within the tandem repeats of the gene cluster but interspersed elsewhere in the genome. Some of these sequences correspond to the Alu family of highly repeated interspersed sequences.     

Monolignol and dilignol glycosides from Pinus contorta leaves

Four monolignol glucosides have been isolated and identified from the needles of Pinus contorta. Chavicol 4-O-α-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1 →     

Acylated flavonol glucosides of Pinus contorta needles

From fresh Pinus contorta Doug (Coastal) needles four flavonol acylated glucosides and 6-methyl-kaempferol 3-β-D-glucoside were isolated. The three monoacylated glucosides were kaempferol-3-β-D(6-O-p- coumaryl)glucoside, isorhamnetin-3-β-D-(6-O-acetyl)glucoside, quercetin-3-β-D-(p-coumaryl)glucoside and the diacyl compound was kaempferol-3-β-D-(di-p-coumaryl)glucoside.     

Atrial and brain natriuretic peptide in adrenal steroidogenesis.

We elucidated the role of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in human and bovine adrenocortical steroidogenesis. The urinary volume, sodium excretion and cyclic GMP (cGMP) excretion and plasma cGMP were markedly increased by the synthetic alpha-human ANP (alpha-hANP) infusion in healthy volunteers. Plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) and aldosterone levels were significantly suppressed. Both ANP and BNP inhibited aldosterone, 19-OH-androstenedione, cortisol and DHEA secretion dose-dependently and increased the accumulation of intracellular cGMP in cultured human and bovine adrenal cells. alpha-hANP significantly suppressed P450scc-mRNA in cultured bovine adrenal cells stimulated by ACTH. Autoradiography and affinity labeling of [125I]hANP, and Scatchard plot demonstrated a specific ANP receptor in bovine and human adrenal glands. Purified ANP receptor from bovine adrenal glands identified two distinct types of ANP receptors, one is biologically active, the other is silent. A specific BNP receptor was also identified on the human and bovine adrenocortical cell membranes. The binding sites were displaced by unlabelled ANP as well as BNP. BNP showed an effect possibly via a receptor which may be shared with ANP. The mean basal plasma alpha-hANP level was 25 +/- 5 pg/ml in young men. We confirmed the presence of ANP and BNP in bovine and porcine adrenal medulla. Plasma or medullary ANP or BNP may directly modulate the adrenocortical steroidogenesis. We demonstrated that the lack of inhibitory effect of alpha-hANP on cultured aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) cells was due to the decrease of ANP-specific receptor, which caused the loss of suppression of aldosterone and an increase in intracellular cGMP.     

Tissue distribution of hepatocyte growth factor receptor and its exclusive down-regulation in a regenerating organ after injury.

Using 125I-labeled hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as a ligand, we examined the tissue distribution of the HGF receptor in adult rats. Specific binding of 125I-HGF was detected in the plasma membranes of liver, spleen, kidney, lung, adrenal gland, pituitary, and thyroid. Scatchard analysis of HGF binding in liver, spleen, kidney, lung, and adrenal gland revealed the presence of a single class of high affinity receptor with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 20-30 pM. The maximum number of binding sites (Bmax) was determined to be 400-3,000 sites per ng of plasma membrane protein, the highest number being in the liver. Such a wide distribution of a high affinity HGF receptor indicates that HGF may be a multifunctional growth factor, targeting to a variety of organs, and not restricted to liver. After 70% partial hepatectomy, specific binding of 125I-HGF to membranes of the residual liver rapidly decreased, but there was no change in the kidney, lung, and spleen. On the other hand, after unilateral nephrectomy rapid down-regulation of the HGF receptor was clearly evident in the remaining kidney, but not in other organs including the liver. These findings suggest the presence of control mechanisms governing HGF receptor function only in a regenerating organ after injury.     

Identification and change in the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor in rat liver after partial hepatectomy or induced hepatitis

Specific binding of 125I-labeled human recombinant HGF to the primary cultured rat hepatocytes or liver plasma membranes was observed to be temperature- and time-dependent. Scatchard analysis indicated the presence of a single class of high affinity receptors with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 24-32 pM, a value in good accord with half maximum dose for HGF activity and a receptor density of about 500-600 sites/cell. Affinity cross-linking of the receptor with 125I-HGF revealed the HGF receptor in rat liver membranes to be a polypeptide of Mr approximately 220,000. After partial hepatectomy, specific binding of 125I-HGF to the membranes of residual livers decreased by 60-70% between 3 and 6 h, and was scanty at 12 h after hepatectomy. After one week, the binding was recovered to the 1.7 fold level in the untreated rat liver. This rapid down-regulation of HGF receptors was also observed in plasma membranes of rat livers in the presence of hepatitis induced by CCl4. We propose that HGF which can be immediately supplied to the liver after hepatic injury will function as a trigger for regeneration of this organ.     

1H NMR studies on ferricytochromec 3 fromDesulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F and its interaction with ferredoxin I

Summary The¹H NMR signals of the heme methyl, propionate and related chemical groups of cytochromec ₃ fromDesulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F (D.v. MF) were site-specifically assigned by means of ID NOE, 2D DQFCOSY and 2D TOCSY spectra. They were consistent with the site-specific assignments of the hemes with the highest and second-lowest redox potentials reported by Fan et al. (Biochemistry,29 (1990) 2257–2263). The site-specific heme assignments were also supported by NOE between the methyl groups of these hemes and the side chain of Val¹⁸. All the results contradicted the heme assignments forD.v. MF cytochromec ₃ made on the basis of electron spin resonance (Gayda et al. (1987)FEBS Lett.,217 57–61). Based on these assignments, the interaction of cytochromec ₃ withD.v. MF ferredoxin I was investigated by NMR. The major interaction site of cytochromec ₃ was identified as the heme with the highest redox potential, which is surrounded by the highest density of positive charges. The stoichiometry and association constant were two cytochromec ₃ molecules per monomer of ferredoxin I and 10⁸ M^–2 (at 53 mM ionic strength and 25°C), respectively.     

Goblet-like cells in atrophic vaginal smears and their histologic correlation. Possible confusion with endocervical cells.

The occurrence and origin of goblet-like cells seen between clusters of parabasal cells in atrophic vaginal smears were investigated. The goblet-like cells were cytologically identified in the vaginal smears from 23 (19.2%) of 120 patients whose smears showed an atrophic pattern, but without any inflammatory, dysplastic or malignant changes. Histologically, these cells were found in sections from 6 (18.8%) of 32 elderly women with atrophic vaginal epithelium. The goblet-like cells were situated among the squamous cells of the upper layer of the atrophic squamous epithelium from the vagina to the portio. These goblet-like cells in atrophic smears were initially misinterpreted as endocervical cells, which are regarded as a marker of smear adequacy in the cytologic screening for cancer of the uterine cervix. The correct interpretation of these goblet-like cells in smears from postmenopausal and elderly women is thus obviously important in assessing the adequacy of the sample for the detection of abnormal cells.     

Nδ-benzoyl-l-ornithine and Nδ-benzoyl-l-γ-hydroxyornithine from Vicia pseudo-orobus

Two new non-protein amino acids, N^δ-benzoyl-l-ornithine and N^δ-benzoyl-l-γ-hydroxyornithine have been characterized from the seeds of Vicia pseudo-orobus.