Mechanism of inhibition caused by long-chain fatty acids in anaerobic digestion process

The inhibitory effect of long-chain fatty acids on the anaerobic digestion process was examined in batch experiments using synthetic substrates. The addition of long-chain fatty acids caused the appearance of the appearance of the lag period in the methane production from acetate and in the degradation of both long-chain fatty acids and n-butyrate. Methane production from hydrogen proceeded without lag period although its rate was lowered. Fermentation of glucose was not inhibited. Neutral fat in the whole milk was easily hydrolyzed to long-chain fatty acids, which brought about the inhibition. The addition of calcium chloride reduced the inhibitory effect of long-chain fatty but it did not do so after the culture had been exposed to long-chain fatty acids for more than several hours. The addition of calcium carbonate could not reduce the inhibition because of its insolubility.     

Structure of human phenylethanolamine n-methyltransferase gene: existence of two types of mRNA with different transcription initiation sites

The chromosomal gene for human phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT; EC 2.1.1.28) was isolated from a human genomic library using a cloned human PNMT cDNA as a probe, and the nucleotide sequence was determined. PNMT is encoded in a single gene which consists of three exons. We observed newly the presence of minor PNMT mRNA (type B) besides the major mRNA (type A) as reported previously (Kaneda et al., J. Biol. Chem. 263, 7672–7677, 1988) by Northern hybridization. Type B mRNA carries an approximately 700 nucleotide-long untranslated region in the 5′ terminus. This suggests that two types of mRNA are produced from a single gene through the use of two alternative promoters. A TATA-like sequence locates 30 base pair upstream from the cap site of type A mRNA. Upstream of the cap site, there are several sequences resembling Spl binding sites and glucocorticoid responsive elements, with the latter also found in the first intron.     

Pro----leu change at position 102 of prion protein is the most common but not the sole mutation related to Gerstmann-Str?ussler syndrome

The host-encoded prion protein (PrP) is a component of transmissible amyloid deposited in the brains affected by Gerstmann-Str?ussler syndrome (GSS). Recently GSS in two unrelated Caucasian families has been reported to be linked to an amino acid change in PrP codon 102, proline to leucine (Leu102). However, it has not been clear whether the change is commonly found to GSS regardless of ethnic origin. We report here that Leu102 is also found in all the Japanese GSS patients tested. Interestingly, one French GSS patient was found to have another change, alanine to valine in codon 117 (Val117), instead of Leu102. Our results indicate that Leu102 is closely related to GSS irrespective of ethnic origin, but not the sole mutation related to GSS. Val117 may also be related to GSS.     

Reduced cholecystokinin in the brain of LEC rats with hepatic encephalopathy.

Levels of cholecystokinin (CCK) immunoreactivity and distribution of CCK immunoreactive cells were studied in the cerebral cortex of LEC (Long Evans Cinnamon) rats with hepatic encephalopathy. CCK immunoreactivity in water extract of cerebral cortex of LEC rats with hepatic encephalopathy (n = 7) was 41.5 +/- 2.6 (mean +/- S.E.M. pmol/g wet wt.) and that of LEC rats without encephalopathy (n = 8) was 67.1 +/- 6.9, the difference being significant (P less than 0.01). CCK immunoreactive cells assessed by immunohistochemistry were also markedly decreased in the cortex of LEC rats with hepatic encephalopathy of stage IV. Thus, CCK reduction was observed in the cerebral cortex of LEC rats with hepatic encephalopathy which are provided as a model for analysis of the pathogenesis of acute hepatic encephalopathy.     

Changes in whole body concentrations of thyroid hormones and cortisol in metamorphosing conger eel

Summary To clarify the hormonal regulation of metamorphosis of the conger eel (Conger myriaster), changes in whole body concentrations of thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃), and cortisol during metamorphosis were examined, as well as the changes in the histological activity of the thyroid gland. In larvae before metamorphosis, T₄ and T₃ levels were less than 5 and 0.15 ng·g^-1 respectively. Levels of T₄ increased to about 30 ng·g^-1 during early metamorphosis, and decreased subsequently. Levels of T₃ increased gradually in early metamorphosis, and then increased abruptly to about 2.0 ng·g^-1 in late metamorphosis. Before metamorphosis, cortisol levels of the leptocephali less than 11 cm in total length were greater than 200 ng·g^-1. Cortisol levels decreased rapidly in larger premetamorphic leptocephali, and low levels were maintained throughout the metamorphic period. Histological observation revealed an activation of the thyroid gland in early metamorphosis; thyroid follicle epithelial cells became columnar and their nuclei larger. Active uptake of colloid by these cells and intensive vascularization of the gland were also observed. By the end of metamorphosis, follicle epithelial cells became squamous, indicating a low level of glandular activity. These results suggest that thyroid hormone plays an important role in regulation of conger eel metamorphosis.Abbreviations AL anal length - TL total length - T ₃ triiodothyronine - T ₄ thyroxine     

The structures of the carbohydrate moieties of mouse kidney gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase: occurrence of X-antigenic determinants and bisecting N-acetylglucosamine residues

Paper electrophoresis and Bio-Gel P-4 column chromatography of the oligosaccharides released from mouse kidney gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase by hydrazinolysis gave fractionation patterns quite distinct from those of the bovine and rat kidney enzymes. Structural studies of the fractionated oligosaccharides by sequential exoglycosidase digestion in combination with methylation analysis showed that mouse kidney gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase contains a series of bisected complex-type asparagine-linked sugar chains with the following oligosaccharides as their outer chain moieties: GlcNAc beta 1----, Sia alpha 2----Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----, Gal beta 1----4(Fuc alpha 1----3)GlcNAc beta 1----, and sialylated N-acetyllactosamine repeating sugar chains. Some of these sugar chains were found for the first time in glycoproteins.     

Characterization of a growth-inhibiting protein present in rat serum that exerts a differential effect onin vitro growth of nonmalignant rat liver cells when compared with Rous sarcoma virus-transformed rat liver cells

Summary We have previously reported the transformation by Rous sarcoma virus of a cloned epithelial cell line (BRL) established from Buffalo rat liver by H. Coon. The nontransformed (BRL) and transformed (RSV-BRL) cells grew at comparable rates in culture, whereas only the transformed cells were tumorigenic in vivo. We report here on the existence in rat and mouse sera of a growth inhibitor for the nontransformed BRL cells. The transformed BRL cells (RSV-BRL) were insensitive to this inhibitor. The inhibitory activity was not prominent in sera from other species of animals tested except for rabbit; this serum inhibited the growth of RSV-BRL cells more strongly than that of BRL cells. The growth inhibitor was partially purified from rat serum. It is a protein free of lipid and has a molecular weight of about 220 000. The inhibitor could be separated into three components of pI 4.6, 5.2 (major) and 5.6 by isoelectric electrophoresis. EDITOR'S STATEMENT Although compelling theoretical arguments sometimes can be made for the likely existence of growth-inhibitory substances of physical relevance in the control of cell proliferation, experiments aimed at identifying and studying such factors often are difficult to design and interpret, and little strong data exists to suggest that growth-inhibitory substances are important regulatorsin vivo. The information presented in this paper represents a start toward developing a useful system for studying growth-inhibitory factor. David W. Barnes     

A simple method for preparing physiologically active mitochondria from plant leaves rich in oils and phenolics

Amberlite XAD-7, a nonionic polyacrylate adsorbent, was found to be a very effective protectant for isolating mitochondria from tissues rich in oils and phenolics. Physiologically active, well-coupled mitochondria were successfully prepared from young green leaf tissues of citrus, apple, pear and tobacco.Abbreviations DNP 2,4-dinitrophenol - CCCP carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone - BSA bovine serum albumin - PVP polyvinylpyrrolidone