Protein kinase C inhibition by calmodulin and its fragments

Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) by calmodulin is investigated and we describe the localization of inhibitory sequences within the calmodulin molecule. We present evidence that calmodulin inhibits PKC through an inhibition of the activation of PKC associated with lipid membranes: Binding of PKC to lipid vesicles is not affected, but activation is abolished. The potent calmodulin antagonist R24571 (calmidazol) did not affect the inhibition of PKC by calmodulin at concentrations up to 10^–5 M. Two tryptic fragments of calmodulin were isolated which inhibited PKC. They were only slightly less potent than intact calmodulin with an IC₅₀ of 6 µ M compared to 1 µ M of intact calmodulin. They were identified as Ser³⁸-Arg⁷⁴ and His¹⁰⁷-Lys¹⁴⁸. Each of the inhibiting fragments contains an intact Ca²⁺-binding domain with complete helix-loop-helix structure (EF hand). Other calmodulin peptides showed only weak inhibitory activity. Both fragments did not stimulate cAMP phosphodiesterase even at concentrations 100-fold higher than the calmodulin concentration needed for maximal stimulation. None of the fragments acted as a calmodulin antagonist.     

Effect of acute and chronic cholinesterase inhibition on biogenic amines in rat brain

The effects of five cholinesterase inhibitors on forebrain monoamine and their metabolite levels, and on forebrain and plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity in rat were studied in acute and chronic conditions. Acute tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA) dosing caused lower brain (68%) and higher plasma (90%) ChE inhibition than the other drugs studied increased levels of brain dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) (236%), homovanillic acid (HVA) (197%) and 5-hydroxyindolaecetic acid (5-HIAA) (130%). Acute physostigmine (PHY) administration caused a 215% increase in brain DOPAC content. Despite high brain ChE inhibition induced by metrifonate (MTF), dichlorvos (DDVP) or naled no changes in brain noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA) or serotonin (5-HT) occurred due to treatment with the study drugs in the acute study. In the chronic 10-day study THA or PHY caused no substantial ChE inhibition in brain when measured 18 hours after the last dose, whereas MTF induced 74% ChE inhibition. Long-term treatment with THA or MTF caused no changes in monoamine levels, but PHY treatment resulted in slightly increased 5-HT values. These results suggest that MTF, DDVP and naled seem to act solely by cholinergic mechanisms. However, the central neuropharmacological mechanism of action of THA and PHY may involve changes in cholinergic as well as dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems.     

Pollination biology of two species ofKielmeyera (Guttiferae) from Brazilian cerrado vegetation

The pollination biology and breeding systems ofKielmeyera coriacea andK. speciosa, two sympatric woody species common in the cerrado vegetation of C. Brazil, were studied. Both species have similar nectarless, polystemonous Papaver-type flowers which are visited by a similar spectrum of insects, though they bloom in different seasons and are thus phenologically isolated. Large carpenter bees seem to be the most important pollinators and these and other bees effect buzz pollen retrieval despite the fact that anthers are not poricidal. Both species ofKielmeyera possess strong xenogamous breeding systems. The presence of staminate flowers and andromonoecy inK. coriacea, as well as the longevity ofK. speciosa flowers are discussed as alternative strategies to improve pollination success and reproductive efficacy.     

DL-4-hydroxyphenylglycine catabolism in Pseudomonas putida MW27

Thirteen bacteria were isolated on D-4-hydroxyphenylglycine as sole carbon and energy source. Seven strains transaminated only the D-enantiomer while the other six isolates transaminated both enantiomers of 4-hydroxyphenylglycine. One of the six strains utilizing both enantiomers was characterized as a Pseudomonas putida. This strain, MW27, employed two enantioselective transaminases, to catalyze the initial step in the metabolism of DL-4-hydroxyphenylglycine. The product of the transamination, 4-hydroxyphenylglyoxylate, was further metabolized via 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 4-hydroxybenzoate to protocatechuate. Preliminary results indicate that both transaminases are co-ordinately synthesized together with the 4-hydroxyphenylglyoxylate decarboxylase and the NADP⁺-dependent 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde dehydrogenase.     

Nitrite reduction in Bacteroids of Rhizobium “hedysari” strain HCNT 1

Ex planta, bacteroids of the sulla-symbiont Rhizobium hedysari strain HCNT 1 terminated reduction of nitrite at nitrous oxide irrespective of the presence or absence of acetylene. Nitrate was not reduced during the experimental period, but slight nitrate reductase activity occurred if incubation with nitrate was prolonged (up to 15 h). As was observed in free-living cells, exposure of the bacteroids to the metal chelator, diethyldithiocarbamate, prevented reduction of nitrite, indicating the presence of a copper-containing nitrite reductase. Pulses of 10–75 M nitrite transiently impeded O₂ uptake in bacteroids, which resumed consumption of O₂ when the nitrite had been reduced. Exposure to >1.0 mM nitrite for 24h greatly inhibited nitrogenase activity (assayed as acetylene reduction activity) of bacteroids in planta. Exposure to the same concentrations of nitrite after 1h of incubation in the presence of acetylene almost completely stopped ongoing ethylene production in bacteroids of strain HCNT 1 extracted from nodules. Free cells of the non-nitrite-reducing R. hedysari strain CC 1335 were lacking in nitrogenase (acetylene-reduction) activity, whereas identically cultured (low-oxygen) strain HCNT 1 cells reduced both nitrite and acetylene.Abbreviations PMS phenazine methosulfate - DDC diethyldithiocarbamate     

Modulation of lymphocyte nuclear matrix organization in vivo by 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl benzimidazole: an autoradiographic and immunofluorescence study

Assembly of active nuclei in lymphocytes stimulated by mitogen is paralleled by the elaboration of a structurally and biochemically complex nuclear matrix (NM). To examine the dynamics of individual NM polypeptide components during blastogenesis, we have applied immunofluorescence labelling with anti-NM antibodies to concanavalin A-stimulated mouse splenocytes. Whereas peripherin and PI2 antigens did not reorganize during stimulation, labelling of PI1 and small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) antigens increased markedly in intensity and redistributed in concert with the previously reported NM restructuring. Double-labelling showed, furthermore, that snRNPs and the internal staining component of PI1 were largely co-localized. As an approach to studying the role of RNA and RNA synthesis in NM organization, we have further examined the effects of the inhibitor of RNA synthesis, 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl benzimidazole (DRB), on NM antigen distribution. The rapid inhibition of 3H-uridine incorporation by DRB was accompanied by coordinate aggregation of snRNPs and of the internal PI1 component into large, brightly stained patches. Both 3H-uridine incorporation levels and antigen localization were readily reversed upon removal of DRB. We conclude that NM antigens behave independently during nuclear and NM assembly and that NM organization, as reflected by NM antigen distribution, is modulated by con A- and DRB-induced alterations in RNA synthesis. We propose, furthermore, that the PI1 antigen plays a role in RNA metabolism, and is possibly involved in RNA transport to the nuclear periphery.     

α-[3H]Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4-Isoxazolepropionic Acid Binding to Rat Striatal Membranes: Effects of Selective Brain Lesions

The binding of alpha-[3H]amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid ([3H]AMPA), a structural Glu analog, to rat striatal membranes was studied. In the absence of potassium thiocyanate and Cl-/Ca2+, saturation-curve analysis of [3H]AMPA binding suggested that a single class of noninteracting binding sites with a KD value of 340 +/- 27 nM was involved, although AMPA inhibition of [3H]AMPA binding set at a concentration of 100 nM suggested, in contrast, the presence of multiple populations of striatal binding sites. Several other excitatory amino acid receptor agonists and antagonists were tested, and the most potent and selective quisqualic acid (QA) receptor agonists (QA, L-Glu, and AMPA) were found to represent the most potent inhibitors of [3H]AMPA binding. N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor agonists and antagonists were ineffective as displacers of the [3H]AMPA binding. Lesions of intrastriatal neurons (using kainic acid local injections) and of corticostriatal afferent fibers led 2-3 weeks later to large decreases (63 and 30%, respectively) in striatal [3H]AMPA binding, whereas selective lesion of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway (using nigral injection of 6-hydroxy-dopamine) was without any influence. Taken together, these results suggest that [3H]AMPA binding is primarily associated with postsynaptic intrastriatal neurons. Some [3H]AMPA binding sites may also be located presynaptically on corticostriatal nerve endings. So, in addition to the possibility that [3H]AMPA binding sites may be involved in corticostriatal synaptic transmission, it is interesting that these putative QA-preferring excitatory amino acid receptor sites may also play some role in autoregulatory processes underlying this excitatory synaptic transmission.