Effects of Heavy Metal Cations and Other Sulfhydryl Reagents on Brain Dopamine D1 Receptors: Evidence for Involvement of a Thiol Group in the Conformation of the Active Site

To investigate aspects of the biochemical nature of membrane-bound dopamine D1 receptors, rat striatal homogenates were pretreated with heavy metal cations and some other chemical agents, and their effects on D1 receptors were subsequently determined using a standard [3H](R)-(+)-8-chloro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-1-N-3- benzazepine([3H]SCH 23390) binding assay. Incubation of striatal membranes with as little as 1 microM Hg2+, 10 microM Cu2+, and 10 microM Cd2+ completely prevented specific [3H]SCH 23390 binding. The effect of Cu2+, 1.5 microM, was noncompetitive in nature, whereas 3-5 microM Cu2+ afforded mixed-type inhibition. The inhibitory effect of Cu2+ was fully reversed by dithiothreitol (0.1-1 mM). Cu2+ (2 microM) did not affect the affinity of cis-flupenthixol or clozapine for remaining [3H]SCH 23390 sites. A second series of cations, Co2+ (30 microM), Ni2+ (30 microM), Mn2+ (1 mM), Ca2+ (25 mM), and Ba2+ (20 mM), inhibited specific [3H]SCH 23390 binding by 50% at the concentrations indicated. The thiol alkylating reagent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) (0.2 mM) reduced specific binding by 70%. The effect of NEM was completely prevented by coincubation with a D1 receptor saturating concentration of SCH 23390 (20 nM) or dopamine (10 microM). The results indicated that the dopamine D1 receptor is a thiol protein and that a thiol group is essential for the ligand binding.     

Solubilization and Characterization of the Nitrendipine Receptor in Rat Brain

The nitrendipine receptor associated with the voltage-dependent calcium channel in rat brain was solubilized by detergent extraction and sonication. The detergent solution used for extraction consisted of 10 mM 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS), 0.25% (wt/vol) polyoxyethylene 20 cetyl ether (Brij 58), and 0.025% (wt/vol) polyoxyethylene 17 cetyl stearyl ether (Lubrol WX) in the presence of 30% (wt/vol) glycerol as a stabilizer. The molecular weight of the receptor was estimated to be 1,800K by Sephacryl S-500 gel filtration and 800K by sucrose density gradient sedimentation. The equilibrium dissociation constant of [3H]nitrendipine to the solubilized receptors was 5.6 nM, which is approximately 10 times that of the membrane-bound receptor. The binding of nitrendipine to the receptor was inhibited noncompetitively by the structurally unrelated calcium channel inhibitors verapamil and prenylamine; their concentrations for 50% inhibition were both 1.0 X 10(-7) M, and they caused maximal inhibitions of 70 and 100%, respectively.     

Mutations in the E1a gene of type 5 adenovirus result in oncogenic transformation of Fischer rat embryo cells

Transformation of a specific clone of Fischer rat embryo (CREF) cells with wild-type 5 adenovirus (Ad5) or the E1a plus E1b transforming gene regions of Ad5 results in epithelioid transformants that grow efficiently in agar but that do not induce tumors when inoculated into nude mice or syngeneic Fischer rats. In contrast, CREF cells transformed by a host-range Ad5 mutant, H5hrl, which contains a single base-pair deletion of nucleotide 1055 in E1a resulting in a 28-kd protein (calculated) in place of the wild-type 51-kd acidic protein, display a cold-sensitive transformation phenotype and an incomplete fibroblastic morphology but surprisingly do induce tumors in nude mice and syngeneic rats. Tumors develop in both types of animals following injection of CREF cells transformed by other cold-sensitive Ad5 E1a mutants (H5dl101 and H5in106), which contain alterations in their 13S mRNA and consequently truncated 289AA proteins. CREF cells transformed with only the E1a gene (0-4.5 m.u.) from H5hrl or H5dl101 also produce tumors in these animals. To directly determine the role of the 13S E1a encoded 289AA protein and the 12S E1a encoded 243AA protein in initiating an oncogenic phenotype in adenovirus-transformed CREF cells, we generated transformed cell lines following infection with the Ad2 mutant pm975, which synthesizes the 289AA E1a protein but not the 243AA protein, and the Ad5 mutant H5dl520 and the Ad2 mutant H2dl1500, which do not produce the 289AA E1a protein but synthesize the normal 243AA E1a protein. All three types of mutant adenovirus-transformed CREF cells induced tumors in nude mice and syngeneic rats. Tumor formation by these mutant adenovirus-transformed CREF cells was not associated with changes in the arrangement of integrated adenovirus DNA or in the expression of adenovirus early genes. These results indicate, therefore, that oncogenic transformation of CREF cells can occur in the presence of a wild-type 13S E1a protein or a wild-type 12S E1a protein when either protein is present alone, but does not occur when both wild-type E1a proteins are present.     

Evidence for a sex pheromone metabolizing cytochrome P-450 mono-oxygenase in the housefly

Direct evidence is presented for the role of a cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase (called mixed-function oxidase, or polysubstrate mono-oxygenase, PSMO) in the metabolism of the sex pheromone (Z)-9-tricosene to its corresponding epoxide and ketone in the housefly. A secondary alcohol, most likely an intermediate in the conversion of the alkene to the ketone, was also tentatively identified. The results of in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that the PSMO inhibitors, piperonyl butoxide (PB) and carbon monoxide, markedly inhibited the formation of epoxide and ketone from (9,10-³H) (Z)-9-tricosene. An examination of the relative rates of (Z)-9-tricosene metabolism showed that males exhibited a higher rate of metabolism than females with the antennae of males showing the highest activity of any tissue/organ examined. The major product from all tissues/organs was the epoxide. Data from experiments with subcellular fractions showed that the microsomal fraction had the majority of enzyme activity, which was strongly inhibited by PB and CO and required NADPH and O₂ for activity. A carbon monoxide difference spectrum with reduced cytochrome showed maximal absorbance at 450 nm and allowed quantification of the cytochrome P-450 in the microsomal fraction of 0.410-nmol cytochrome P-450 mg^?1 protein. Interaction of (Z)-9-tricosene with the cytochrome P-450 resulted in a type I spectrum, indicating that the pheromone binds to a hydrophobic site adjacent to the heme moiety of the oxidized cytochrome P-450.     

Fucosyltransferase expression in human platelets and leucocytes

The activities of -2-l-fucosyltransferase and -3-l-fucosyltransferase were measured in human platelets and leucocytes from normal donors, -2-l-Fucosyltransferase was found in platelets but not in leucocytes. In contrast -3-l-fucosyltransferase was not detected in platelets but was present in leucocytes where it was demonstrated in the neutrophil, monocyte and lymphocyte fractions.     

Characterization of quisqualate recognition sites in rat brain tissue usingDl-[3H]α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) and a filtration assay

The binding of [³H]AMPA (Dl--amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid), a ligand for the putative quisqualate excitatory amino acid receptor subtype, was evaluated using centrifugation and filtration receptor binding techniques in rat brain crude synaptosomal membrane preparations. Maximal specific binding of [³H]AMPA occurred in Triton X-100 treated membranes in the presence of the chaotropic agent potassium thiocyanate (KSCN). The effects of KSCN on binding were reversible and optimal at 100 mM. Supernatant obtained from detergent-treated membranes inhibited specific [³H]AMPA and [³H]kainic acid binding, suggesting the presence of an inhibitory agent which was tentatively identified as glutamate. Using centrifugation, saturation analysis revealed two distinct binding sites in both the absence and presence of KSCN. The chaotrope was most effective in increasing binding at the low affinity binding site, enhancing the affinity (K _d) without a concommitant change in the total number of binding sites. Using filtration, a single binding site was detected in Triton-treated membranes. Like the data obtained by centrifugation, KSCN enhanced the affinity of the receptor (K _d value=10 nM) without altering the number of binding sites (B _max=1.2 pmol/mg protein). The rank order of potency of various glutamate analogs in the [³H]AMPA binding assay was quisqualate > AMPA > l-glutamate > kainate > d-glutamate, consistent with the labeling of a quisqualate-type excitatory amino acid receptor subtype.l-glutamic acid diethylester, and 2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (AP₇) were inactive. The present technique provides a rapid, reliable assay for the evaluation of quisqualate-type excitatory amino acid agonists and/or antagonists that may be used to discover more potent and selective agents.     

High-affinity uptake of γ-[3H]aminobutyric acid by isolated mouse oligodendrocytes in culture

Oligodendrocytes were isolated from mixed glial cultures of neonatal mouse forebrain and further grown in serum-free hormone supplemented culture medium. Cell populations were identified by indirect immunofluorescence using a range of specific antibodies, revealing a predominantly immature population of oligodendrocytes, the majority expressing the myelin glycolipids galactocerebroside and sulfatide on their plasma membrane. Astroglial contamination was found to be minimal. Simultaneous autoradiography and immunofluorescence demonstrated the presence of a transport system for the major inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the oligodendrocytes. The transport system was found to be energy, sodium and temperature dependent. Kinetic analysis revealed a high affinity system, with aK _m of 6.27 M and aV _max of 0.714 nmol/min/mg protein, which is comparable to that found previously for CNS neurons and astrocytes.Special Issue dedicated to Dr. E. M. Shooter and Dr. S. Varon.     

冷冻或切除小脑蚓部山顶(Culmen)对豚鼠“踏步自动作用”(Stepping automatism)的影响

本研究探讨部分冷冻或切除小脑蚓部(vermis)对整体豚鼠“踏步自动作用”(steppingautomatism)的影响。“踏步自动作用”由我们近年来发现的诱发踏步物质(SIS)(4-R-2,2,5,5-四(三氟甲基)-咪唑啉)所引起。结果表明部分冷冻或切除小脑蚓部的山顶(culmen,Ⅴ和Ⅳ叶)和中央叶(Centralis,Ⅲa,b)明显增强豚鼠的“踏步自动作用”。冷冻小脑不能触发,但仅能调控“踏步自动作用”。这种调控作用对自动化程度差的弱“踏步自动作用”特别显著。蚓部山顶(Ⅴ叶为主)同时调控左右前肢踏步,而一侧蚓部山顶及其半球则主要调控同侧前肢踏步。此外,本研究的结果表明当介面温度(冷冻头和小脑幕间)致冷至5℃—0℃左右,冷冻小脑便可基本模拟部分切除小脑效应。     

中国东方铃蟾(Bombina orientalis)皮肤中C_(-12-b)肽的分离与鉴定

东方铃蟾鲜皮的甲醇提取液,可引起大鼠离体平滑肌的收缩。此液经碱性氧化铝柱层析分离,其80%乙醇洗脱的 C 组分显示生物活性。C 组分再经葡聚糖凝胶 G-15柱分离,其活性较强的早期洗脱组分 C_(_12),可被糜蛋白酶水解灭活,但其活性并不被5-HT 拮抗剂赛庚啶[2×10~(-6)mol/L]完全拮抗。继用反相高效液相色谱(RP-HPLC)分析,见分离出的 C_(_12_h)峰与铃蟾肽~*(Bombesin,BBS)的出峰时间相同,且具相同的氨基酸组成。上述实验结果提示,C_(_12_h)肽可能就是铃蟾肽。     

水翁花蕾和水翁叶精油的化学成分研究

水翁的花营和鲜叶经水蒸汽蒸馏得到一种淡黄色的精油,前者出油率为0.18％。后者为0.08％。我们应用毛细管气相色谱,气相色谱/质谱联用,红外光谱和紫外光谱等方法,对两种精油进行化学分成分析,分别鉴定出35个和27个已知化学成分。两者相同的化学成分有:β-罗勒烯(Z)、β-罗勒烯(E)、α-蒎烯、β-蒎烯、月桂烯、小茴香烯、香叶醇、顺式-丁香烯、橙花叔醇等23个化学成分,分别占花营精油全油的90％和叶精油95％以上。