Calcium-Dependent Release of Tyrosine in Brain Elicited by Stimulation of Neuropeptide Receptors

We sought to establish whether the endogenous opiate-receptor agonist Met-enkephalin (m-ENK) selectively modulates the release of endogenous tyrosine (Tyr) from brain slices prepared from the corpus striatum (CS). Amino acids (AAs) released from slices of CS and, for comparison, cerebral cortex (Cx) were measured by HPLC. Incubation of slices with m-ENK (1-10 microM) increased the basal release of Tyr (up to 293% of control) from CS, but not Cx, whereas other nonneurotransmitter AAs, phenylalanine (Phe) and valine (Val), were unchanged. The release of the putative neurotransmitter AAs glutamate (Glu), taurine (Tau), and glycine (Gly) were similarly increased by 50-150% with m-ENK in slices of CS, but not Cx. The enhanced release of AAs by m-ENK was prevented by removal of extracellular Ca2+ or by preincubation with the opiate receptor antagonist naloxone. Neuronal depolarization by potassium (5-55 mM) in the presence of Ca2+ did not affect the release of Tyr, whereas release of neurotransmitter AAs such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were markedly increased. The increase in basal Tyr release by m-ENK was not the result of a decreased uptake of Tyr. Relative to slices, the basal release of Tyr, Phe, and Val from a synaptosomal (P2) preparation of CS was small (8-51%) compared to that of GABA, Gly, Glu, and Tau (49-123%). Nonetheless, m-ENK (10 microM) markedly increased the release of Tyr (to 833%), but not Glu, Gly, and Tau from the P2 fraction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Immunocytochemical localization of aminopeptidase N on the cell surface of isolated porcine thyroid follicles

Summary The ultrastructural location of aminopeptidase N on the cell surface of isolated porcine thyroid follicle cells was studied with immunocytochemistry using antibodies against intestinal aminopeptidase N and protein A-colloidal gold. Gold particles, indicating immunoreactivity, were selectively attached to the apical cell surface. Occasionally, there was a sparse labelling of the basal cell surface. In follicles kept at 4° C most gold particles at the apical cell surface appeared as clusters, with each gold particle situated at a constant distance of about 20 nm from the membrane surface. The gold particles were concentrated on the membranes of microvilli, in comparison to the smooth (intermicrovillar) portions of the apical plasma membrane. In follicles incubated at 37° C for 5–180 min gold particles were slowly internalized by predominantly smooth-surfaced micropinocytic vesicles and subsequently appeared in colloid droplets and lysosomes. Gold particles were not observed in Golgi cisternae. TSH did not appear to influence the rate of internalization. TSH-induced pseudopods were unlabelled.Our electron-microscopic observations confirm previous immunofluorescence-microscopic evidence that aminopeptidase N is selectively expressed in the apical plasma membrane domain in the thyroid follicle cell. Furthermore, aminopeptidase N appears to be distributed in microdomains within the apical plasma membrane. Earlier indications of molecular differences between the pseudopod membrane and the apical plasma membrane proper are further emphasized.This study was supported by Grant No 12X-537 from the Swedish Medical Research Council     

Reevaluation of the amino acid sequence of porcine follitropin

We have reevaluated the sequence of porcine follicle-stimulating hormone (pFSH) with more recent protein-sequencing methodology. This has led to revision of the earlier proposed sequence. As with almost all reported gonadotropin -subunits, NH₂-terminal heterogeneity was found in the porcine FSH -subunit (FSH), starting with residue Phe (1), Asp (3), Gly (4), or Thr (7). In the -subunit, there were found to be at least two molecular species, starting with residue Asn (1) (minor 20%) or Cys (3) (major 80%) as NH₂-terminal and ending at residue Glu (108) as COOH-terminal. The net effect of the present revisions is to increase the homology of pFSH with other reported follitropin sequences. Apparent differences in the half-cystine placements in a previous proposal for pFSH compared with other species of FSH are no longer tenable. The half-cystine placements thus remain a constant structural feature throughout the gonadotropin hormones (choriogonadotropin, follitropin, and lutropin).     

Waterstriders (Gerris paludum F.) compensate for drift with a discontinuously working visual position servo

Waterstriders on ponds and creeks compensate for displacement caused by wind or water current with periodical jumps against the direction of drift. This behavior is mediated by visual stimuli.

Measurement of Endogenous Noradrenaline Release in the Rat Cerebral Cortex In Vivo by Transcortical Dialysis: Effects of Drugs Affecting Noradrenergic Transmission

The release of endogenous noradrenaline was measured in the cerebral cortex of the halothane-anesthetized rat by using the technique of brain dialysis coupled to a radioenzymatic assay. A thin dialysis tube was inserted transversally in the cerebral cortex (transcortical dialysis) and perfused with Ringer medium (2 microliter min-1). Under basal conditions, the cortical output of noradrenaline was stable over a period of at least 6 h and amounted to 8.7 pg/20 min (not corrected for recovery). Histological control of the perfused area revealed very little damage and normal morphology in the vicinity of the dialysis tube. Omission of calcium from the perfusion medium caused a marked drop in cortical noradrenaline output. Bilateral electrical stimulation (for 10 min) of the ascending noradrenergic pathways in the medial forebrain bundle caused a frequency-dependent increase in cortical noradrenaline output over the range 5-20 Hz. Stimulation at a higher frequency (50 Hz) resulted in a levelling off of the increase in cortical noradrenaline release. Systemic administration of the dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibitor bis-(4-methyl-1-homopiperazinylthiocarbonyl) disulfide (FLA 63) (25 mg/kg i.p.) markedly reduced, whereas injection of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor pargyline (75 mg/kg i.p.) resulted in a progressive increase in, cortical noradrenaline output. d-Amphetamine (2 mg/kg i.p.) provoked a sharp increase in cortical noradrenaline release (+450% over basal values within 40 min). Desmethylimipramine (10 mg/kg i.p.) produced a twofold increase of cortical noradrenaline release. Finally, idazoxan (20 mg/kg i.p.) and clonidine (0.3 mg/kg i.p.), respectively, increased and decreased the release of noradrenaline from the cerebral cortex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Correlation of Rates of Calcium Entry and Release of Endogenous Norepinephrine in Rat Brain Region Synaptosomes

Voltage-dependent 45Ca2+ uptake and endogenous norepinephrine (NE) release were measured simultaneously in synaptosomes isolated from rat hypothalamus, brainstem, and cerebellum at 1, 3, 5, 15, and 30 s. In synaptosomes depolarized by 125 mM KCl, 45Ca2+ uptake and NE release exhibited fast and slow components. Rates of NE release and 45Ca2+ uptake were fastest from 0 to 1 s. NE release and 45Ca2+ uptake rates from 1 to 5 s were less than 15% of 0-1 s rates. Both resting (5 mM KCl) and depolarization-induced (125 mM KCl) NE release paralleled 45Ca2+ uptake from 1 to 30 s. Voltage-dependent NE release was approximately 1% and 2% of total synaptosomal NE content at 1- and 30-s measurement intervals, respectively, and did not differ between the three brain regions studied. Calcium and potassium dependence studies showed that NE release was stimulated by increased potassium and that depolarization-induced NE release was dependent on the presence of external calcium. These results show that calcium-dependent NE release from synaptosomes is correlated with calcium entry. Both processes exhibit fast and slow temporal components.     

Effect of Phospholipase Digestion and Lysophosphatidylcholine on Dopamine Receptor Binding

[3H]Spiperone specific binding by microsomal membranes isolated from sheep caudate nucleus is decreased by trypsin and phospholipase A2 (Vipera russeli), but is insensitive to neuraminidase. The inhibitory effect of phospholipase A2 is correlated with phospholipid hydrolysis. After 15 min of phospholipase (5 micrograms/mg protein) treatment, a maximal effect is observed; the maximal lipid hydrolysis is about 56% and produces 82% reduction in [3H]spiperone binding. Equilibrium binding studies in nontreated and treated membranes showed a reduction in Bmax from a value of 388 +/- 9.2 fmol/mg protein before phospholipase treatment to a value of 52 +/- 7.8 fmol/mg protein after treatment, but no change in affinity (KD = 0.24 +/- 0.042 nM) was observed. Albumin washing of treated membranes removes 47% of lysophosphatidylcholine produced by phospholipid hydrolysis without recovering [3H]spiperone binding activity. However, the presence of 2.5% albumin during phospholipase A2 action (1.5 micrograms/mg protein) prevents the inhibitory effect of phospholipase on [3H]spiperone binding to the membranes, although 28% of the total membrane phospholipid is hydrolysed. Lysophosphatidylcholine, a product of phospholipid hydrolysis, mimics the phospholipase A2 effect on receptor activity, but the [3H]spiperone binding inhibition can be reversed by washing with 2.5% defatted serum albumin. Addition of microsomal lipids to microsomal membranes pretreated with phospholipase does not restore [3H]spiperone stereospecific binding. It is concluded that the phospholipase-mediated inhibition of [3H]spiperone binding activity results not only from hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids, but also from an alteration of the lipid environment by the end products of phospholipid hydrolysis.     

猪垂体总mRNA的提取、鉴定及其cDNA的合成

 用改进的LiCl沉淀法和寡聚(dT)-纤维素亲和层析法由猪垂体制得总mRNA。在兔网织红细胞无细胞翻译体系中进行体外翻译的结果表明,制得的总mRNA具有一定的翻译活力。翻译产物与兔抗猪生长激素抗血清发生免疫沉淀,沉淀物占总翻译产物的10％左右。SDS聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳的结果表明翻译产物有一条很深的带,分子量约为24,000道尔顿,与猪前生长激素的分子量相近。以制备的mRNA为模板反转录合成了双链cDNA。第一链的合成产率为10—35％,第二链的合成产率为84—115％。cDNA的平均分子长度为825bp。     

猪-C反应蛋白的分离纯化及其性质的研究

以猪血清为材料,通过磷酸乙醇胺—琼脂糖亲和层析,Sepharose 4B柱层析和Sephacryl—S300凝胶过滤,获得了猪C—反应蛋白的结晶。猪C—反应蛋白可与肺炎球菌壁C多糖发生特异的沉淀反应,这种结合是依赖钙离子的。EDTA和一些磷脂代谢产物如磷酸胆碱,磷酸乙醇胺等,能抑制猪C—反应蛋白与C多糖的结合。在SDS—聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳及梯度聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳中,猪C—反应蛋白表现出与人C—反应蛋白相同的行为,亚基是一条分子量为23.5kD的肽链,全分子的表观分子量为150kD。猪C—反应蛋白与兔抗人C—反应的蛋白的抗血清能发生免疫交叉反应。     

Purification and characterization of a benzodiazepine-like substance from mammalian brain

An endogenous brain ligand which competes with [³H]-flunitrazepam for the binding to benzodiazepine receptor has been isolated and purified to homogeneity. The purification procedures involve the extraction of the endogenous ligand by homogenizing the brain tissue in water containing various protease inhibitors followed by filtration through a PM 10 membrane (exclusion limit: 10,000-dalton), column chromatographies on Sephadex G-50, Bio-Rad P2 and a series of C₁₈ reverse phase HPLC columns. The purified endogenous ligand was eluted as a single and symmetrical peak monitored at either 220 or 280 nm. Furthermore, the ligand activity coincided with the absorption peak. The purified endogenous ligand is thermostable, insensitive to various peptidases and proteolytic enzymes, resistant to DNAse, RNAse, and carbohydrate enzyme e.g. neuraminidase (EC 3.2.1.18) and acid treatment. It has a major absorption peak at 220 nm and a minor one at 313 nm. The endogenous ligand appears to be quite specific since it only inhibits the binding of ligand to the central type benzodiazepine receptor but not to other receptors, e.g. peripheral type benzodiazepine receptor, ₁-adrenoceptor, ₂-adrenoceptor, -adrenoceptor and muscarinic cholinergic receptor. Furthermore, the inhibition of the receptor binding by the endogenous ligand is enhanced by GABA suggesting that the endogenous ligand is a benzodiazepine receptor agonist. The structure of the endogenous ligand is unknown.Special issue dedicated to Dr. Elling Kvamme