Lipopolysaccharides of Escherichia coli K12 Strains That Express Cloned Genes for the Ogawa and Inaba Antigens of Vibrio cholerae O1: Identification of O-Antigenic Factors

Structural and serological studies were performed with the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) expressed by Escherichia coli K12 strains No. 30 and No. 64, into which cosmid clones derived from Vibrio cholerae O1 NIH 41 (Ogawa) and NIH 35A3 (Inaba) had been introduced, respectively. The two recombinant strains, No. 30 (Ogawa) and No. 64 (Inaba), produced LPS that included, in common, the O-polysaccharide chain composed of an α(1 → 2)-linked N-(3-deoxy-L -glycero-tetronyl)-D -perosamine (4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-D -manno-pyranose) homopolymer attached to the core oligosaccharide of the LPS of E. coli K12. Structural analysis revealed the presence of N-(3-deoxy-L -glycero-tetronyl)-2-O-methyl-D -perosamine at the non-reducing terminus of the O-polysaccharide chain of LPS from No. 30 (Ogawa) but not from No. 64 (Inaba). Serological analysis revealed that No. 30 (Ogawa) and No. 64 (Inaba) LPS were found to share the group antigen factor A of V. cholerae O1. They were distinguished by presence of the Ogawa antigen factor B [co-existing with relatively small amounts of the Inaba antigen factor (c)] in the former LPS and the Inaba antigen factor C in the latter LPS. It appears, therefore, that No. 30 (Ogawa) and No. 64 (Inaba) have O-antigenic structures that are fully consistent with the AB(c) structure for the Ogawa and the AC structure for the Inaba O-forms of V. cholerae O1, respectively. Thus, the present study clearly confirmed our previous finding that the Ogawa antigenic factor B is substantially related to the 2-O-methyl group at the non-reducing terminus of the α(1 → 2)-linked N-(3-deoxy-L -glycero-tetronyl)-D -perosamine homopolymer that forms the O-polysaccharide chain of LPS of V. cholerae O1 (Ogawa).     

High-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels; Structure,pharmacology, and function

High-conductance calcium-activated potassium (maxi-K) channels comprise a specialized family of K⁺ channels. They are unique in their dual requirement for depolarization and Ca²⁺ binding for transition to the open, or conducting, state. Ion conduction through maxi-K channels is blocked by a family of venom-derived peptides, such as charybdotoxin and iberiotoxin. These peptides have been used to study function and structure of maxi-K channels, to identify novel channel modulators, and to follow the purification of functional maxi-K channels from smooth muscle. The channel consists of two dissimilar subunits, and . The subunit is a member of theslo Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel gene family and forms the ion conduction pore. The subunit is a structurally unique, membrane-spanning protein that contributes to channel gating and pharmacology. Potent, selective maxi-K channel effectors (both agonists and blockers) of low molecular weight have been identified from natural product sources. These agents, together with peptidyl inhibitors and site-directed antibodies raised against and subunit sequences, can be used to anatomically map maxi-K channel expression, and to study the physiologic role of maxi-K channels in various tissues. One goal of such investigations is to determine whether maxi-K channels represent novel therapeutic targets.     

脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇对K~＋刺激的小麦根质膜ATP酶活性、K~＋吸收、外渗及再分配的影响

１０－８ｍｏｌ／Ｌ的ＤＯＮ毒素加入小麦根质膜制剂中可促进Ｋ＋刺激的ＡＴＰ酶活力,１０－６ｍｏｌ／Ｌ开始呈抑制效应,抑制程度随ＤＯＮ浓度加大而提高。根尖（５ｃｍ）离体根段于０．５ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ的ＫＣｌ中,１０－８ｍｏｌ／Ｌ的ＤＯＮ能促进根段Ｋ＋吸收,１０－６ｍｏｌ／Ｌ以上浓度则Ｋ＋吸收呈抑制,１０－２ｍｏｌ／Ｌ浓度下根段的净吸收为负值,表明组织中Ｋ＋大量外渗。根段置蒸馏水中６ｈ,４ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ的ＤＯＮ即导致振段Ｋ＋渗漏。用ＤＯＮ处理整株小麦根,浓度在０．２５ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ以上可促进Ｋ＋从植株其它部位向根运输,而浓度在８ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ时即抑制Ｋ＋向根富集,且根内Ｋ＋明显渗漏。     

Brain ATP Depletion Induced by Acute Ammonia Intoxication in Rats Is Mediated by Activation of the NMDA Receptor and Na+, K+-ATPase

Abstract: Injection of large doses of ammonia into rats leads to depletion of brain ATP. However, the molecular mechanism leading to ATP depletion is not clear. The aim of the present work was to assess whether ammonium-induced depletion of ATP is mediated by activation of the NMDA receptor. It is shown that injection of MK-801, an antagonist of the NMDA receptor, prevented ammonia-induced ATP depletion but did not prevent changes in glutamine, glutamate, glycogen, glucose, and ketone bodies. Ammonia injection increased Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity by 76%. This increase was also prevented by previous injection of MK-801. The molecular mechanism leading to activation of the ATPase was further studied. Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity in samples from ammonia-injected rats was normalized by "in vitro" incubation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, an activator of protein kinase C. The results obtained suggest that ammonia-induced ATP depletion is mediated by activation of the NMDA receptor, which results in decreased protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and, therefore, increased activity of the ATPase and increased consumption of ATP.     

Dietary subacute zinc deficiency and potassium metabolism

In a controlled animal experiment the effects of dietary subacute Zn deficiency on growth, Zn concentration, and tissue 42-K distribution were studied. Growth retardation caused lower body weight because both skeletal and heart muscle showed a reduction in cell mass. Zn concentrations were reduced in most tissues, however, they remained unaltered in heart muscle. 42-K activity increased in skeletal muscle and pancreas. We hypothesize the latter reflects the organs rate of metabolism, inducing the exocrine pancreas to increase Zn absorption; in skeletal muscle it may induce also alterations in cell potentiation, causing restless behavior. As suggested by the calculated specific K activity (Bq/mol), the K uptake was highest in liver and bone, high in pancreas and skeletal muscle and low in heart muscle. The latter suggests K retention in heart muscle. Specific activity in plasma and jejunum remained unaltered: K status and absorption seem unaffected. Zn deficiency causes different 42-K activities in the various tissues, that respond by alterations in K metabolism without the induction of K deficiency.     

Nutrient distribution in a Swedish tree species experiment

The influence of four tree species on the distribution of nutrients between different compartments of the ecosystem was examined. In a randomized block (n=3) experiment in south-western Sweden, Ca, Mg and K were determined as exchangeable amounts in the mineral soil and as total amounts in the O+A₁ horizons (topsoil) and in the aboveground tree biomass. N contents were determined in all compartments as well as P contents of the aboveground tree biomass and the topsoil. The four tree species planted were: silver fir [Abies alba Mill.] (AA), grand fir [Abies grandis Lindl.] (AG), Norway spruce [Picea abies L. Karst.] (PA) and Japanese larch [Larix leptolepis (Sieb. och Zucc.) Endl.] (LL). At the age of 35–36 years, the total stemwood production of the most productive species, AG, was estimated at 471 m³ ha⁻¹. In relation to AG, LL had produced 80%, PA 73% and AA 37%. The system totals [aboveground tree biomass total + topsoil total + exchangeable (Ca, Mg, K) or total (N) in the mineral soil] of Ca, K and N did not differ significantly at the 5% level between the investigated species. For Mg, the system total in LL was significantly higher than for the other species. There was an indication that LL and AA contained higher amounts of Ca, Mg, K and N in the topsoil but less in the biomass than did AG and PA (partly significant). In the mineral soil, there were no significant differences in the exchangeable pools of Ca and K, nor in the total amounts of N. The biomass nutrient concentrations generally decreased in the order: AA > PA > AG > LL. At stem or whole-tree harvest, the Ca export per biomass unit would more than double in the case of PA compared to LL. LL also contained less N in the biomass than the other species. However, the N content in the biomass did not differ between the most (AG) and the least (AA) productive species, although the production of dry weight biomass (standing + harvested) of AG had been twice that of AA. It is concluded that the nutrient budget of a managed forest may vary considerably depending on the choice of tree species.     

Isolation of glucosinolate degrading microorganisms and their potential for reducing the glucosinolate content of rapemeal

Abstract K88ab fimbriae are filamentous protein structures at the surface of certain enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains. Electron microscopy analysis of K88ab fimbriae showed that these structures have different morphological appearances dependent on the medium in which cells expressing these fimbriae or in which purified fimbriae were suspended. Thin and curled structures, thin and flexible fimbriae, a wider and rigid form of the fimbriae, and, in addition, paracrystalline structures were detected. Optical diffraction analysis of the paracrystalline structures indicated a helical conformation of K88ab fimbriae.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the location and function of plant nutrients in vivo

The cytoplasmic and vacuolar pools of ammonium, inorganic phosphate and potassium can be studied non-invasively in plant tissues using high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The techniques that allow these pools to be discriminated in vivo are described and their application to plants is reviewed with reference to the phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium nutrition of root tissues.     

Parvalbumin和Calbindin－D28k负疫反应神经元在人胎视网膜中的分布和发育

本实验采用免疫细胞化学方法观察１９例人胎视网膜内Ｐａｒｖａｌｂｕｍｉｎ（ＰＶ）和Ｃａｌｂｉ－ｄｉｎ－Ｄ２８ｋ（ＣａＢＰ）免疫反应神经元的分布和发育,对它们在人胎视网膜发育中的演变规律进行了研究。结果显示,ＰＶ和ＣａＢＰ免疫反应神经元属于视网膜水平细胞,无长实细胞和节细胞的不同亚群,ＣａＢＰ免疫反应神经元还可能分属于视细胞。ＰＶ和ＣａＢＰ免疫反应神经元的发育主要是在胚胎中期,胎１４周时它们已分别出现于视网膜内的不同部位,其各自的演变规律不同,至胚胎２７周时初步建立了各自的分布模式。在整个发育过程,颞测机网膜内ＰＶ免疫反应神经元的密度及反应强度均高于鼻侧视网膜内的ＰＶ免疫反应神经元,ＰＶ和ＣａＢＰ免疫反应神经元的发育与视网膜的组织发生也有着密切的联系。本文结果提示,ＰＶ和ＣａＢＰ可能在视网膜神经元的分化、迁移及突触形成中分别起着重要的作用。