Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in toluene-permeabilized Rhodospirillum rubrum.

Toluene-permeabilized Rhodospirillum rubrum cells were used to study activation of and catalysis by the dual-function enzyme ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. Incubation with CO2 provided as HCO3-, followed by rapid removal of CO2 at 2 degrees C and subsequent incubation at 30 degrees C before assay, enabled a determination of decay rates of the carboxylase and the oxygenase. Half-times at 30 degrees C with 20 mM-Mg2+ were 10.8 and 3.7 min respectively. Additionally, the concentrations of CO2 required for half-maximal activation were 56 and 72 microM for the oxygenase and the carboxylase respectively. After activation and CO2 removal, inactivation of ribulose bisphosphate oxygenase in the presence of 1 mM- or 20mM-Mn2+ was slower than that with the same concentrations of Co2+ or Mg2+. Only the addition of Mg2+ supported ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase activity, as Mn2+, Co2+ and Ni2+ had no effect. A pH increase after activation in the range 6.8-8.0 decreased the stability of the carboxylase but in the range 7.2-8.0 increased the stability of the oxygenase. With regard to catalysis. Km values for ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate4- were 1.5 and 67 microM for the oxygenase and the carboxylase respectively, and 125 microM for O2. Over a broad range of CO2 concentrations in the activation mixture, the pH optima were 7.8 and 8-9.2 for the carboxylase and the oxygenase respectively. The ratio of specific activities was constant (9:1 for the carboxylase/oxygenase) of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in toluene-treated Rsp. rubrum. Below concentrations of 10 microM-CO2 in the activation mixture, this ratio increased.     

“Unblocking” Serum Activity <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> in the Polyoma System may Correlate with Antitumour Effects of Antiserum <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis>

In a variety of tumour systems, individuals carrying progressively growing neoplasms have lymphoid cells with a specific cytotoxic effect on cultured tumour cells from the same individual^1–4. Since the sera of tumour-bearing individuals have been shown to prevent tumour cell destruction by immune lymphocytes in vitro^2,5–8 and since this serum blocking activity appears early in primary and transplant tumour development^5,7, it has been suggested that the appearance of this serum blocking activity might be responsible for the progressive growth of tumours in individuals having cytotoxic lymphocytes. Counteraction of this blocking activity would thus be of primary importance in facilitating the function of an already existing or bolstered cell-mediated immunity. The serum blocking activity might be inhibited in various ways, by preventing the formation of blocking antibody or by interfering with its action (“unblocking”), as demonstrated in Moloney sarcoma regressor sera⁹. This type of serum also has a therapeutic effect on Moloney sarcomas in vivo^10,11, which has been tentatively attributed to its unblocking activity^8,9 or, possibly, to a complement-dependent cytotoxicity¹⁰. Tumour growth in the Moloney sarcoma system, however, might be due in part to continuous recruitment of neoplastic cells by virus-induced transformation and so the therapeutic effect could be due to a virus-neutralizing serum activity^9,10.     

The effective diffusion coefficient and the distribution constant for small molecules in calcium-alginate gel beads

The effective diffusion coefficient, D(e), and the distribution constant, K(i), for selected mono- and disaccharides and organic acids were determined in homogeneous calcium-alginate gel with and without entrapped bacteria. Results were obtained from transient concentration changes in well-stirred solutions of limited volume, in which the gel beads were suspended. The effective diffusioncoefficients and the distribution constants were estimated by fitting mathematical model predictions to the experimental data using a nonlinear model fitting program (MODFIT). Both single solute diffusion and multiple solute diffusion were performed. A small positive effect was obtained onthe values of D(e) for the system of multiple solute diffusion; however, the values of K(i) were not significantly influenced. For the nine solutes tested, D(e) for 2% Ca-alginate gel beads was found to be approximately 85% of the diffusivity measured in water. The effects on D(e) and K(i), for lactose and lactic acid were determined for variations of alginate concentration, pH, temperature, and biomass content in the beads. D(e) decreased linearly for both lactose and lactic acid with increasing cell concentration in the Ca-alginate gel. K(i), was constant for both lactose and lactic acid with increasing cell concentration. D(e) was significantly lower at pH 4.5 than at pH 5.5 and 6.5 for both lactose and lactic acid. Furthermore, D(e) seemed to decrease with increased alginate concentration in the range of 1% to 4%. The diffusion rate increased with increasing temperature, and the activation energy for the diffusion process for both lactose and lactic acid was constant in the temperature range tested. (c) 1995 John Wiley & Sons Inc.     

On the mechanism of ATP-induced shape changes in the human erythrocyte membranes: the role of ATP

In the preceding paper (Sheetz, M. and S.J. Singer. 1977. J Cell Biol. 73:638-646) it was shown that erythrocyte ghosts undergo pronounced shape changes in the presence of mg-ATP. The biochemical effects of the action of ATP are herein examined. The biochemical effects of the action of ATP are herein examined. Phosphorylation by ATP of spectrin component 2 of the erythrocyte membrane is known to occur. We have shown that it is only membrane protein that is significantly phosphorylated under the conditions where the shape changes are produced. The extent of this phosphorylation rises with increasing ATP concentration, reaching nearly 1 mol phosphoryle group per mole of component 2 at 8mM ATP. Most of this phosphorylation appears to occur at a single site on the protein molecule, according to cyanogen bromide peptide cleavage experiments. The degree of phosphorylation of component 2 is apparently also regulated by a membrane-bound protein phosphatase. This activity can be demonstrated in erythrocyte ghosts prepared from intact cells prelabeled with [(32)P]phosphate. In addition to the phosphorylation of component 2, some phosphorylation of lipids, mainly of phosphatidylinositol, is also known to occur. The ghost shape changes are, however, shown to be correlated with the degree of phosphorylation of component 2. In such experiment, the incorporation of exogenous phosphatases into ghosts reversed the shape changes produced by ATP, or by the membrane-intercalating drug chlorpromazine. The results obtained in this and the preceding paper are consistent with the proposal that the erythrocyte membrane possesses kinase and phosphates activities which produce phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of a specific site on spectrin component 2 molecules; the steady-state level of this phosphorylation regulates the structural state of the spectrin complex on the cytoplasmic surface of the membrane, which in turn exerts an important control on the shape of the cell.     

Alginate as immobilization material: III. Diffusional properties

The rate of diffusion of serum albumin (MW 6.9 x 10(4) D) out of beads of calcium alginate gels depends upon the concentration and uronic acid composition of the alginate (ManA/GulA ratio), the conditions under which the beads are produced, the pH, and the temperature. The diffusion coefficient decreases with increasing alginate concentration, and (ManA/GulA) ratio and with decreasing pH. Diffusion out of the beads, in which the alginate is uniformly distributed (homogeneous gel), is faster than out of the beads in which the alginate is concentrated at the surface (inhomogeneous gel). The temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient follows the Arrhenius law, with an activation energy of approximately 23 kJ x mol(-1).     

Selective inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis by gold salts and phenylbutazone

Gold salts and phenylbutazone selectively inhibit the synthesis of PGF_2α and PGE₂ respectively. Lowered production of one prostaglandin species is accompanied by an increased production of the other. Selective inhibition by these drugs was observed in the presence of adrenaline, reduced glutathione and copper sulphate under conditions when most anti-inflammatory compounds inhibited PGE₂ and PGF_2α syntheses equally. It is postulated that selective inhibitors may have a different mode of action and beneficial effects may be related to the endogenous ratio of PGE to PGF required for normal function.     

Retrospective assessment of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 mRNA and protein expression and its association with patient survival in breast cancer

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is an atypical member of the cyclin-dependent kinase family and functions as a serine/threonine kinase that can be activated by non-cyclin binding activators p35 or p39. Cdk5 expression and activity has been linked with the development and progression of cancer; however, its expression in breast cancer has not been fully described. Protein expression of Cdk5 was determined in a large cohort of early-stage invasive breast cancer tumours (n = 1110) with long-term follow-up data using immunohistochemistry. Expression of CDK5 mRNA was assessed in the METABRIC cohort (n = 1980). Low nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of Cdk5 expression was significantly associated with shorter breast cancer-specific survival (P = .004 and P = .001, respectively). Importantly, low nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of Cdk5 remained associated with survival in multivariate analysis, including potentially confounding factors (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.612, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.418-0.896, P = .011 and HR = 0.507, 95% CI = 0.318-0.809, P = .004, respectively). In addition, low nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of Cdk5 was significantly associated with clinicopathological criteria associated with adverse patient prognosis. Low CDK5 mRNA expression was associated with shorter patient survival (P = .005) in the METABRIC cohort; no associations between copy gain or loss and survival were observed. These data suggest that low Cdk5 expression is associated with poor clinical outcome of breast cancer patients and may be of clinical relevance.     

The Dual Effect of Cannabinoid Receptor-1 Deficiency on the Murine Postoperative Ileus

Introduction

Intestinal inflammatory responses play a critical role in the pathogenesis of postoperative ileus (POI). As cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB1) is involved in inhibiting gastrointestinal (GI) motility and anti-inflammation, we aimed to explore its contribution to POI.

Methods

Experimental POI was induced in adult female CB1-deficient (CB1–/–) mice and wild-type littermates (C57BL/6N) by standardized small bowel manipulation. Twenty-four hours after surgery, GI transit was assessed by charcoal transport. FITC avidin, F4/80, and myeloperoxidase immunohistochemistry techniques were used to evaluate the inflammatory response in the muscularis of ileum and colon. Expressions of p38MAPK and its phosphorylated form (pp38) in the intestine were determined. Plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines were measured by ELISA as well.

Results

POI was characterized by decreased GI transit (p<0.01) and accompanied by a marked intestinal and systematic inflammatory response in wild-type and CB1–/– mice. Increased numbers of inflammatory cells, including macrophages, neutrophils, and mast cells were observed in the muscularis of ileum and colon (p<0.01, or p<0.05). Plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1/KC), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were elevated (p<0.01, or p<0.05). Expression of p38 and pp38 increased in the intestine (p<0.01, or p<0.05). CB1–/– mice showed an increased inflammatory response during POI, especially the systemic inflammatory markers, such as IL-6, KC, CINC1, and pp38 expression were increased as compared to those in WT mice (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Intestinal motility was inhibited during POI. In this condition, inhibition of motility did not seem to be altered by the absence of CB1 receptors, however, an increased inflammatory response was observed in CB1–/– mice. Hence, CB1 receptor activation rather than inhibition may reduce the inflammatory response in POI, which has a remote potential to relate into reduced inhibition of intestinal motility during POI.     

Endomorphins 1 and 2 reduce relaxant non-adrenergic,non-cholinergic neurotransmission in rat gastric fundus

It is now well established that opioids modulate cholinergic excitatory neurotransmission in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the present study was to characterize a possible effect of endomorphins on nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) relaxant neurotransmission in the rat gastric fundus in vitro. The drugs used in the experiments were the endogenous mu-opioid receptors (MORs) endomorphin 1 and 2 and the mu-opioid receptor antagonist CTAP (D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2). CTAP left the basal tonus and the spontaneous activity of the preparation unchanged. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) under NANC conditions at frequencies ranging from 0.5 to 16 Hz caused a frequency-dependent relaxant response on the 5-hydoxytryptamine (5-HT) (10(-7) M) precontracted smooth-muscle strip. Both endomorphin 1 and endomorphin 2 significantly reduced this relaxation in a concentration-dependent manner. Endomorphin 1 proved to be more potent in reducing the relaxant responses. The endomorphin effects were significantly reversed by the MOR antagonist CTAP. CTAP itself did not influence the EFS-induced relaxation. In summary, these data provide evidence that the endogenous MOR agonists endomorphin 1 and 2 can reduce nonadrenergic, noncholinergic neurotransmission in the rat gastric fundus smooth muscle via a pathway involving MORs. The physiological relevance of these findings remains to be established, since the data presented suggest that the endomorphins act as neuromodulators within NANC relaxant neurotransmission.