bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethanol modulation of the hormonal and nutritional regulation of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes
Authors: Kelley D S , Kletzien R F
Published: August 2015

The hormonal and nutritional regulation of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH; EC 1.1.1.49) was studied in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes maintained in a chemically defined medium. Inoculation of hepatocytes from starved rats into primary cultures resulted in a 4-5-fold increase in G6PDH activity in 48 h in the absence of hormones. Parallel cultures treated simultaneously with glucocorticoids and insulin exhibited a 12-15-fold increase during the same time. Glucocorticoids by themselves did not elevate G6PDH activity, whereas insulin alone significantly stimulated enzyme activity. Thus the glucocorticoids acted in a ‘permissive’ role to amplify the insulin stimulation of G6PDH. Elevated concentrations of glucose in the culture medium increased enzyme activity in both the control cultures and those treated with hormones. Ethanol was found to potentiate G6PDH activity in cultures treated with glucocorticoids and insulin. The effect of ethanol was time- and dose-dependent. These results establish that insulin, glucocorticoids, glucose and ethanol interact in some undefined manner to regulate hepatic G6PDH activity.
Cytochrome c mediates electron transfer between ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase and cytochrome c oxidase by free diffusion along the surface of the membrane
Authors: Froud R J , Ragan C I
Published: August 2015

Ubiquinol oxidase can be reconstituted from ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase (Complex III) and cytochrome c oxidase (Complex IV) whose endogenous phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine have been replaced by dimyristoylglycerophosphocholine. Phase transition of the lipid has no effect on Complex III and Complex IV activities assayed separately, but ubiquinol oxidase activity rapidly decreases as the temperature is lowered through the phase transition. A spin-labelled yeast cytochrome c derivative has been synthesized. Binding of the cytochrome c to liposomes demonstrates that only cardiolipin is involved under the conditions used for the ubiquinol oxidase experiments. In liposomes consisting of cardiolipin and dimyristoylglycerophosphocholine, e.s.r. (electron-spin-resonance) measurements show that rotational diffusion of cytochrome c is slowed in the gel phase of the latter lipid. We propose that the cytochrome c pool is bound to cardiolipin molecules, whose lateral and rotational diffusion in the bilayer is adequate to account for electron-transport rates.
Interaction of the radiolabelled high-affinity anti-oestrogen [3H]H1285 with the cytoplasmic oestrogen receptor
Authors: Keene J L , Sweet F , Ruh M F , Ruh T S
Published: August 2015

The high-affinity triarylethylene anti-oestrogen H1285 [4-(NN-diethylaminoethoxy)-beta-ethyl-alpha-(p-hydroxyphenyl) −4′-methoxystilbene] was tritiated to high specific radioactivity (35 Ci/mmol). Competition experiments between [3H]H1285 and H1285 or oestradiol demonstrated that both compounds would compete with [3H]H1285 for oestrogen-specific binding sites in rat uterine cytosol. [3H]H1285 had at least 10 times the affinity for the receptor compared with oestradiol at the 50% competition level. [3H]H1285 appeared to have at least twice the association rate for the oestrogen receptor compared with [3H]oestradiol. In addition, the dissociation half-life (t1/2) of specific binding of [3H]H1285 to oestrogen receptors at 0 degrees C was about 220 h compared with a value of 60 h for [3H]oestradiol. Because of the extremely slow dissociation of [3H]H1285 from the oestrogen receptor, we were able to compare the sedimentation profiles of [3H]H1285-receptor complexes with those of [3H]oestradiol-receptor complexes in the presence of 0.4 M-KCl on 5-20% sucrose density gradients. [3H]Oestradiol-receptor complexes had a major peak at 4.4 S with a smaller peak at 5.6 S, whereas with [3H]H1285-receptor complexes the 5.6 S peak was always higher than the 4.4 S peak. There was significant variation between the dissociation behaviour at 20 degrees C of [3H]H1285-receptor complexes and [3H]oestradiol-receptor complexes pre-activated at 25 degrees C for 30 min in the presence and in the absence of 10 mM-sodium molybdate. The dissociation t1/2 of [3H]oestradiol-receptor complexes at 20 degrees C decreased from 1.5 h to 0.5 h when molybdate was present during heat treatment whereas the dissociation t1/2 for [3H]H1285-receptor complexes was 5 h for both conditions. These observations indicate that there are fundamental differences in the initial interaction of H1285 and oestradiol with the oestrogen receptor.
Nutritional effects on mitochondrial bioenergetics. Alterations in oxidative phosphorylation by rat liver mitochondria
Authors: Ferreira J , Gil L
Published: August 2015

Rats malnourished since birth and fed on a protein-free diet for 2 weeks showed a 23-27% decrease in the State-3 oxidation of glutamate, succinate and ascorbate + NNN′ N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine by liver mitochondria compared with control fed animals. ATP synthesis and the respiratory control index were diminished at the three coupling sites, but significant alterations were not observed in ADP/O ratios. Vmax. for NADH oxidation in electron-transport particles was 40% lower. Mitochondrial cytochromes b and c1 remained unchanged, but cytochrome c was increased by 26%. Cytochromes a + a3 were diminished by 22%. Vmax. for mitochondrial ATPase was 23% lower. These results suggest that the lower content of cytochrome a + a3 at the rate-controlling step of oxidative phosphorylation in malnourished rats might be mainly responsible for the decrease in substrate oxidations as well as ATP synthesis at the three coupling sites. The decreased synthesis and hydrolysis of ATP suggests that other energy-dependent mitochondrial processes could be decreased during malnutrition.
Stimulation of prostaglandin E2 synthesis by exogenous phospholipase A2 and C in rabbit kidney medulla slices
Authors: Fujimoto Y , Akamatsu N , Hattori A , Fujita T
Published: August 2015

We have investigated the effects of phospholipase A2 and C on the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 in rabbit kidney medulla and the release of fatty acids from the medulla slices. Exogenous phospholipase A2 [from Naja naja (Indian cobra) venom] and phospholipase C (from Clostridium welchii) stimulated prostaglandin E2 production in a dose-dependent manner. At the maximal effective concentrations (0.5 unit of phospholipase A2/ml, 2 units of phospholipase C/ml), phospholipase C increased prostaglandin E2 formation to the level observed with phospholipase A2. Phospholipase A2 enhanced the release only of unsaturated fatty acids, whereas phospholipase C stimulated the release of individual free fatty acids (C 16:0, C 18:0, C 18:1, C 18:2 and C 20:4). Moreover, p-bromophenacyl bromide inhibited phospholipase A2-stimulated prostaglandin E2 production and the release of fatty acids, but it had no influence on prostaglandin E2 formation and the release of fatty acids increased by phospholipase C, indicating that the stimulatory effect of phospholipase C is not mediated through the activation of endogenous phospholipase A2. These results suggest the presence of diacylglycerol lipase and monoacylglycerol lipase in the kidney and the importance of this pathway in prostaglandin synthesis by the kidney.
Role of Ca2+ ions in the regulation of intramitochondrial metabolism in rat epididymal adipose tissue. Evidence against a role for Ca2+ in the activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase by insulin
Authors: Marshall S E , McCormack J G , Denton R M
Published: August 2015

The sensitivity of rat epididymal-adipose-tissue pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphate phosphatase, NAD+-isocitrate dehydrogenase and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase to Ca2+ ions was studied both in mitochondrial extracts and within intact coupled mitochondria. It is concluded that all three enzymes may be activated by increases in the intramitochondrial concentration of Ca2+ and that the distribution of Ca2+ across the mitochondrial inner membrane is determined, as in rat heart mitochondria, by the relative activities of a uniporter (which transports Ca2+ into mitochondria and is inhibited by Mg2+ and Ruthenium Red) and an antiporter (which allows Ca2+ to leave mitochondria in exchange for Na+ and is inhibited by diltiazem). Previous studies with incubated fat-cell mitochondria have indicated that the increases in the amount of active non-phosphorylated pyruvate dehydrogenase in rat epididymal tissue exposed to insulin are the result of activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphate phosphatase. In the present studies, no changes in the activity of the phosphatase were found in extracts of mitochondria, and thus it seemed likely that insulin altered the intramitochondrial concentration of some effector of the phosphatase. Incubation of rat epididymal adipose tissue with medium containing a high concentration of CaCl2 (5mM) was found to increase the active form of pyruvate dehydrogenase to much the same extent as insulin. However, the increases caused by high [Ca2+] in the medium were blocked by Ruthenium Red, whereas those caused by insulin were not. Moreover, whereas the increases resulting from both treatments persisted during the preparation of mitochondria and their subsequent incubation in the absence of Na+, only the increases caused by treatment of the tissue with insulin persisted when the mitochondria were incubated in the presence of Na+ under conditions where the mitochondria are largely depleted of Ca2+. It is concluded that insulin does not act by increasing the intramitochondrial concentration of Ca2+. This conclusion was supported by finding no increases in the activities of the other two Ca2+-responsive intramitochondrial enzymes (NAD+-isocitrate dehydrogenase and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase) in mitochondria prepared from insulin-treated tissue compared with controls.
Purification and characterization of testicular transferrin secreted by rat Sertoli cells
Authors: Skinner M K , Cosand W L , Griswold M D
Published: August 2015

Sertoli cells synthesize and secrete a transferrin-like protein (testicular transferrin) [Skinner & Griswold (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 1923-1925]. The purpose of the present study was to purify and characterize testicular transferrin and to compare it with serum transferrin. Testicular transferrin was obtained from the medium of cultured rat Sertoli cells, whereas serum transferrin was obtained from rat serum. Both proteins were purified with the use of phenyl-Sepharose hydrophobic chromatography and transferrin immunoaffinity chromatography. The purified proteins were shown to have similar molecular masses (75 000 Da) and amino acid compositions. The pattern of tryptic peptides from testicular and serum transferrin were found to be essentially the same when analysed by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. The carbohydrate composition of both transferrins was determined by several colorimetric assays and g.l.c. Testicular transferrin, isolated from cell culture medium, had increased amounts of glucose, galactose and glucosamine. Serum transferrin that was incubated with cell culture medium also had a large amount of associated glucose. The results show that testicular transferrin and serum transferrin are structurally very similar and are possibly products of the same gene expressed in two different tissues, the testis and liver. However, the amount of carbohydrate associated with these two proteins is different.
Insensitivity of cardiac phosphofructokinase to adrenergic activation in Zucker rats. A post-receptor defect
Authors: Patten G S , Rattigan S , Filsell O H , Clark M G
Published: August 2015

The apparent insensitivity of phosphofructokinase to activation by adrenaline in hearts from genetically obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats [Patten, Filsell & Clark (1982) Metab. Clin. Exp. 31, 1137-1141] was examined in detail. Perfusion of hearts from obese (fa/fa) animals with medium containing 1nM-100 microM-adrenaline for 4 min did not significantly activate phosphofructokinase, but fully activated glycogen phosphorylase. Activation of phosphofructokinase occurred in hearts from lean (Fa/?) animals, with half-maximal activation at 10nM-adrenaline. Binding characteristics of cardiac alpha 1-adrenergic receptors were comparable between lean and obese animals. Properties of phosphofructokinase from obese and lean hearts were similar. High extracellular Ca2+ concentration, which activated phosphofructokinase in hearts from lean animals and phosphorylase in all hearts, failed to activate phosphofructokinase in hearts from obese rats. The data indicate that the failure of adrenaline to activate phosphofructokinase in hearts from obese (fa/fa) rats results from a post-receptor defect in the as-yet unidentified Ca2+-dependent phosphofructokinase-activating reactions.
Stimulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase in mouse uterine epithelial cells by oestradiol-17 β
Authors: Wilce P A , Leijten L , Martin L
Published: August 2015

The characteristics of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase from mouse uterine epithelial cells were studied. Preliminary experiments showed that enzyme activity was stimulated approx. 10-fold 18h after administration of 100ng of oestradiol-17 beta. This activity was associated with all particulate fractions of the uterine luminal cell. The Km for D-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA was 5.54 +/- 1.12 microM. The detailed time-course of oestrogen stimulation showed two peaks of activity, 9 and 15h after hormone treatment. The DNA content of the epithelial cells doubled between 6 and 12h after hormone treatment, whereas the protein content increased linearly over the 18h period. The peak of enzyme activity at 9h is associated with early S phase of the epithelial cells; the peak at 15h may be associated with a second S phase or with mitosis. Pretreatment with progesterone for 3 days before injection of oestradiol-17 beta (a treatment which inhibits uterine epithelial DNA synthesis) reduced the oestrogenic stimulation of enzyme activity by 63%; progesterone treatment alone did not stimulate enzyme activity. These data suggest that uterine epithelial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase may play an important role in the cell cycle in this tissue.
Isolation and partial characterization of proteoglycans from rat incisors
Authors: Rahemtulla F , Prince C W , Butler W T
Published: August 2015

Newly synthesized proteoglycans of rat incisors were labelled in vivo for 6h with [35S]-sulphate in order to facilitate their detection during purification and characterization. Proteoglycans were extracted from non-mineralized portions (predentine) of rat incisors with 4M-guanidinium chloride and subsequently from dentine by demineralization with a 0.4M-EDTA solution containing 4M-guanidinium chloride. Both extractions were performed at 4 degrees C in the presence of proteinase inhibitors. Purification of proteoglycans was achieved with a procedure involving gel-filtration chromatography, selective precipitation of phosphoproteins, affinity chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography. Two proteoglycan populations were found in the initial extract (Pd-PG I and Pd-PG II), whereas only one fraction (D-PG) was obtained after demineralization. The minor proteoglycan fraction from the first extract, Pd-PG I, although not totally characterized, differed sharply from the other proteoglycans in that it had a larger molecular size with larger glycosaminoglycan chains composed of chondroitin 4- and 6-sulphate isomers. In contrast, the major proteoglycans Pd-PG II and D-PG had smaller hydrodynamic sizes with smaller glycosaminoglycan chains (but larger than those from bovine nasal cartilage proteoglycans) composed exclusively of chondroitin 4-sulphate. The major proteoglycans were incapable of interacting with hyaluronic acid. In general, the amino acid compositions of the major proteoglycans of rat incisors resembled that of bovine nasal cartilage proteoglycans, but the former had lower proline, valine, isoleucine, leucine, and higher aspartic acid, contents.
Protein disulphide-isomerase of chick-embryo tendon
Authors: Brockway B E , Freedman R B
Published: August 2015

Protein disulphide-isomerase can be partially purified from the high-speed-supernatant fraction of extensively disrupted chick-embryo tendon tissue. The catalytic properties of the preparation resemble those of the enzyme from mammalian liver. Gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing show the enzyme to be very acidic, with pI 4.4 +/- 0.3. Gel filtration indicates an Mr for the active enzyme of 140 000. The enzyme can be partially purified by preparative gel filtration or isoelectric focusing, but its limited stability has prevented purification to homogeneity; active fractions from both gel filtration and isoelectric focusing show two major polypeptide components by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The major polypeptides present in partially purified preparations have Mr 45 000 and 55 000; the latter band co-distributes with the enzyme activity in fractionations by both gel filtration and isoelectric focusing. The subcellular location of the enzyme cannot be established from work on homogenates of whole tissue, which are extensively disrupted. In homogenates from isolated tendon cells, the enzyme is located in a vesicle fraction that is excluded from Sepharose 2B but is of low density and can only be sedimented at very high speeds. This fraction is identified as deriving from the endoplasmic reticulum on the grounds of marker-enzyme studies and electron microscopy.
Effects of adrenergic agents, vasopressin and ionophore A23187, on the phosphorylation of, and flux through, phenylalanine hydroxylase in rat liver cells
Authors: Fisher M J , Santana M A , Pogson C I
Published: August 2015

The adrenergic amines noradrenaline and adrenaline increased flux through phenylalanine hydroxylase by approx. 50%. This effect, which appears to be mediated by an alpha-adrenergic mechanism, was accompanied by a rapid increase in the phosphorylation of phenylalanine hydroxylase. Although ionophore A23187 mimicked the effects of the adrenergic amines, vasopressin was completely without effect on either phenylalanine hydroxylation or enzyme phosphorylation. Flux through phenylalanine hydroxylase in young rats (80 g) was insensitive to alpha-adrenergic, but sensitive to beta-adrenergic, agents. Consistent with previous observations [Fisher & Pogson (1984) Biochem. J. 219, 79-85] the present data indicate a close correlation between phosphorylation state and flux rate (i.e. enzyme activity).
The effect of starvation on branched-chain 2-oxo acid oxidation in rat muscle
Authors: Wagenmakers A J M , Veerkamp J H
Published: August 2015

Oxidative-decarboxylation rates of branched-chain amino acids in rat hemidiaphragm and of branched-chain 2-oxo acids in hemidiaphragm, soleus muscle and heart slices of 110-120 g rats were increased considerably by 3-4 days of starvation, when they were calculated from the specific radioactivity in the medium. When the supply from endogenous protein degradation to the oxidation-precursor pool was severely limited by transaminase inhibitors, oxidative-decarboxylation rates of branched-chain 2-oxo acids rose significantly. Since this apparent increase was relatively larger in preparations from fed rats than from 3-days-starved rats, the differences in oxidation rates with nutritional state became less or even not significant. With rat heart the smaller dilution of the oxidation precursor pool after starvation is in accordance with the reported decrease in protein breakdown. Since protein degradation increases with starvation in skeletal muscles, we suggest that the amino acid pool arising from protein degradation is more segregated from the oxidation precursor pool in muscles from starved than from fed rats. We conclude that starvation increases branched-chain amino acid and 2-oxo acid oxidation in skeletal and cardiac muscle considerably less than has been suggested by previous studies.
Inhibition of cholesterol synthesis reduces low-density-lipoprotein apoprotein B production without decreasing very-low-density-lipoprotein apoprotein B synthesis in rabbits
Authors: La Ville A , Moshy R , Turner P R , Miller N E , Lewis B
Published: August 2015

The kinetics of the apoprotein B (apo B) of very-low-density (VLDL; d less than 1.006) and low-density (LDL; d 1.019-1.063) lipoproteins were studied in six rabbits by using radioiodinated homologous lipoproteins, before and during oral administration of mevinolin (5 mg/kg per day), a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (EC 1.1.1.34), to explore the mechanism by which the drug reduces LDL synthesis. Before treatment LDL-apo B production greatly exceeded VLDL-apo B production in all animals, indicating that a large proportion of plasma LDL was derived from a VLDL-independent pathway. Five animals responded to mevinolin with a fall in plasma cholesterol (mean change − 53%; P less than 0.01). This was associated with a 66% decrease in LDL-apo B synthesis (P less than 0.05). In contrast, VLDL-apo B synthesis was unaffected by mevinolin. Furthermore, in all but one animal the decrement in LDL-apo B synthesis was greater than the rate of VLDL-apo B synthesis before treatment, demonstrating that mevinolin had reduced the VLDL-independent production of LDL.
Characterization of a rapid cellular-fractionation technique for hepatocytes. Application in the measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential in situ
Authors: Shears S B , Kirk C J
Published: August 2015

A rapid cellular-fractionation technique [Hoek, Nicholls & Williamson (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 1458-1464] was further characterized by using hepatocytes. Of the mitochondrial marker-enzyme activity, 80% was routinely separated from 71-98% of the total cell activities of marker enzymes for plasma membranes, Golgi-membranes, endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes and cytosol. The mitochondria were contaminated with 53% of cell nuclei. [3H]Triphenylmethylphosphonium ion (TPMP+) was added to hepatocytes in an attempt to measure cellular transmembrane electrical potentials. After rapid cell fractionation the electrical potential between mitochondria in situ and the incubation medium was found to be 202 mV. This value was slightly increased when hepatocytes were treated with oligomycin, but substantially decreased by oligomycin plus an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation. Although estimates of TPMP+ binding were obtained, substantial difficulties prevented the accurate measurement of the electrical potential across the plasma membrane. It is concluded that TPMP+ may be employed to demonstrate the integrity of mitochondria during the fractionation procedures. However, the cation is inadequate for the determination of the separate components of the electrical potential between the mitochondrial matrix and the incubation medium.
Purification of cytochrome b-245 from human neutrophils
Authors: Harper A M , Dunne M J , Segal A W
Published: August 2015

The low potential cytochrome b (b-245) of the microbicidal oxidase of phagocytic cells has been purified from neutrophils from patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia. Cells were homogenized in the presence of proteinase inhibitors and centrifuged to remove the cytoplasm. The pellets containing membranes, granules and other organelles (15 mg/ml) were then washed with buffered sodium cholate (5 mg/ml). Residual pellets were subsequently solubilized with the non-ionic detergent Triton N 101 (10 mg/ml) which extracted about 60% of the cytochrome b. About 10% of the cytochrome b was of mitochondrial origin which was removed on a column of n-amino-octyl-Sepharose that did not adsorb cytochrome b-245. Cytochrome b-245 was chromatographed on a column of heparin-agarose and eluted with NaCl to give a peak specific content of 11-16 nmol of cytochrome b-245/mg of protein, representing a 140-200-fold purification with a recovery of 15%. This technique results in the purification of approx. 100-150 nmol of highly purified cytochrome b-245 from (3-5) X 10(11) cells within 4 days. The most purified material gave a broad band with an apparent Mr of between 68 000 and 78 000 on sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, but gel filtration indicated an aggregated form of the protein in Triton N101 . Purified protein (14 nmol of haem/mg of protein) did not contain FAD or FMN and had no NADPH-dependent O2--generating activity.
Influence of macrophage products on the release of plasminogen activator, collagenase, β-glucuronidase and prostaglandin E2 by articular chondrocytes
Authors: Evêquoz V , Schnyder J , Trechsel U , Baggiolini M , Fleisch H
Published: August 2015

We describe the effects of products of mononuclear phagocytes on the secretory activity of chondrocytes. The primary confluent cultures of rabbit articular chondrocytes were exposed to standard medium alone or enriched with conditioned medium obtained from cultures of rabbit peritoneal macrophages, the mouse macrophage cell line P388D1 or human blood mononuclear cells. Four markers of release were assessed, the neutral proteinases plasminogen activator and collagenase, the acid hydrolase beta-glucuronidase and prostaglandin E2, and the kinetics of their changes were monitored. Chondrocytes that were cultured in standard medium secreted large amounts of plasminogen activator, some beta-glucuronidase, but no collagenase, and released only minor amounts of prostaglandin E2. The addition of conditioned medium from rabbit macrophages induced a rapid release of large quantities of prostaglandin E2 and an abundant secretion of collagenase, while abolishing or strongly decreasing plasminogen activator secretion. In addition, beta-glucuronidase secretion was markedly enhanced. The decrease in secretion of plasminogen activator appeared to reflect a diminished production, since no evidence was found for the generation of inhibitors or for an accelerated extracellular breakdown of the enzyme. Conditioned media of the mouse and human mononuclear cells influenced the secretory activities of rabbit articular chondrocytes in a similar way, suggesting that the factor (or factors) acting on chondrocytes is produced by a variety of macrophages, and that its action is not species-restricted. The time course and concentration-dependence of the effects observed indicate that the secretion of plasminogen activator and collagenase are influenced in a strictly reciprocal fashion by the macrophage products. The release of prostaglandin E2 paralleled that of collagenase.
Selective induction of glutathione S-transferase D in rat testis by phenobarbital
Authors: Sheehan D , Ryle C M , Mantle T J
Published: August 2015

Testis cytosol is shown to contain the Yb2Yb2 -homodimer glutathione S-transferase D in addition to the previously described glutathione S-transferases A (Yb1Yb1) and C (Yb1Yb2). Treatment of rats with phenobarbital induces the level of glutathione S-transferase D in testis with no increase in the activities of glutathione S-transferases A and C. This result indicates a specific induction of the Yb2 subunit in testis, in contrast with the situation in rat liver, where phenobarbital specifically induces the Yb1 subunit.
Characterization of translation products of the polyadenylated RNA of free and membrane-bound polyribosomes of rat forebrain
Authors: Hall C , Mahadevan L , Whatley S , Biswas G , Lim L
Published: August 2015

Poly(A)+ RNA (polyadenylated RNA) isolated from membrane-bound and free polyribosomes was translated in reticulocyte lysates, and the products were analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Several translation products were specific to membrane-bound polyribosomal mRNA, including polypeptides of 47kDa, 35kDa and 21 kDa, whereas others (e.g. of 37 kDa, 17 kDa and 14 kDa) were specific to free polyribosomal mRNA. Although many products were common to both mRNA species, cross-contamination could be ruled out on the basis of the presence of these and other specific products. The common products included a 68 kDa microtubule-associated protein, tubulin, actin, the brain form of creatine kinase, neuron-specific enolase and protein 14-3-3 and calmodulin, all of which were identified on the basis of two-dimensional gel and peptide analyses. The 35 kDa protein product of membrane-specific mRNA was co-translationally processed in vitro by microsomal membranes, resulting in its cleavage to 33 kDa (and partial glycosylation). The 33 kDa processed protein (but not the 35 kDa precursor) was integrated into both dog pancreas and rat brain microsomal membranes. The occurrence of the enzymes and calmodulin as products of membrane-bound polyribosomal mRNA is discussed in the light of their presence on rat brain synaptic plasma membranes [Lim, Hall, Leung, Mahadevan & Whatley (1983) J. Neurochem. 41, 1177-1182] and their existence in a specific component of axonal flow. It is suggested that some of these translation products of the rough endoplasmic reticulum may represent proteins destined for the plasma membrane. However, the identity and location of the 35 kDa membrane-specific product (or its processed form) still remain unestablished.
Inhibition of gluconeogenesis in rat liver by lipoic acid. Evidence for more than one site of action
Authors: Blumenthal S A
Published: August 2015

Hepatocytes obtained from starved rats were incubated in oxygenated Krebs bicarbonate buffer containing 2% defatted bovine serum albumin. DL-alpha-Lipoic (dithio-octanoic) acid (1.0 mM) caused striking reductions in hepatic glucose output in the presence of each of the following substrates: pyruvate, lactate, alanine, dihydroxyacetone, glycerol, and fructose. With lactate as substrate, 0.1-1.0 mM-lipoate caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of gluconeogenesis. With the same substrate, e.g. lactate, 0.25-2.0 mM-octanoate abolished the effect of lipoate in a dose-dependent manner. Additional experimental data are presented which support the concept that the antigluconeogenic effects of lipoic acid in liver can be attributed largely, if not entirely, to sequestration of intramitochondrial coenzyme. A, presumably as lipoyl-CoA, bisnorlipoyl-CoA, or tetranorlipoyl-CoA.
Modulation of the morphology and glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis of human monocytes, induced by culture substrates
Authors: Kolset S O , Seljelid R , Lindahl U
Published: August 2015

Monocytes were isolated from human blood and cultured in vitro on plastic culture dishes or on fibronectin-coated dishes. After 5 days in vitro, the cells on plastic dishes displayed marked morphological changes compared with day 1, with an epithelioid appearance resembling that of foreign-body cells. This transition was inhibited in cells cultured on fibronectin-coated dishes. 35S-labelled polysaccharides were isolated from the culture media after 24h incubation periods with inorganic [35S]sulphate. The cells cultured for 5 days on a plastic substrate synthesized, and secreted into the medium, an oversulphated galactosaminoglycan previously shown to contain 4,6-di-O-sulphated N-acetylgalactosamine units [Kolset, Kjellén, Seljelid & Lindahl (1983) Biochem. J. 210, 661-667]. In contrast, 35S-labelled polysaccharide produced by cells cultured on plastic for 1 day only, or on fibronectin for either 1 or 5 days, contained only minor amounts of such disulphated sugar units. These findings indicate that the formation of oversulphated chondroitin sulphate is coupled to the conversion of monocytes into epithelioid cells. Furthermore, they suggest that the overall process is induced by contact with artificial substrates, and that it may be regarded as the equivalent of a foreign-body reaction in vivo.
Thromboxane-induced phosphatidate formation in human platelets. Relationship to receptor occupancy and to changes in cytosolic free calcium
Authors: Pollock W K , Armstrong R A , Brydon L J , Jones R L , MacIntyre D E
Published: August 2015

The inter-relationships between receptor occupancy, inositol phospholipid metabolism and elevation of cytosolic free Ca2+ in thromboxane A2-induced human platelet activation were investigated by using the stable thromboxane A2 mimetic, 9,11-epoxymethanoprostaglandin H2, and the thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist, EPO45. 9,11-Epoxymethanoprostaglandin H2 stimulated platelet phosphatidylinositol metabolism as indicated by the rapid accumulation of [32P]phosphatidate and later accumulation of [32P]phosphatidylinositol in platelets pre-labelled with [32P]Pi. These effects of 9,11-epoxymethanoprostaglandin H2 were concentration-dependent and half-maximal [32P]phosphatidate formation occurred at an agonist concentration of 54 +/- 8 nM. With platelets labelled with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator quin 2, resting cytosolic free Ca2+ was 86 +/- 12 nM. 9,11-Epoxymethanoprostaglandin H2 induced a rapid, concentration-dependent elevation of cytosolic free Ca2+ to a maximum of 300-700 nM. Half-maximal stimulation was observed at an agonist concentration of 80 +/- 23 nM. The thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist EPO45 selectively inhibited 9,11-epoxymethanoprostaglandin H2-induced [32P]phosphatidate formation and elevation of cytosolic free Ca2+, indicating that both events are sequelae of receptor occupancy. Human platelets contain a single class of stereospecific, saturable, high affinity (KD = 70 +/- 13 nM) binding sites for 9,11-epoxymethano[3H]prostaglandin H2. The concentration-response curve for receptor occupancy (9,11-epoxymethano-[3H]prostaglandin H2 binding) is similar to that for 9,11-epoxymethanoprostaglandin H2-induced [32P]phosphatidate formation and for elevation of cytosolic free Ca2+. These observations indicate that human platelet thromboxane A2 receptor occupation is closely linked to inositol phospholipid metabolism and to elevation of cytosolic free Ca2+. Both such events may be necessary for thromboxane A2-induced human platelet activation.
Renal transport of neutral amino acids. Tubular localization of Na+-dependent phenylalanine- and glucose-transport systems
Authors: Kragh-Hansen U , Røigaard-Petersen H , Jacobsen C , Sheikh M I
Published: August 2015

The transport properties for phenylalanine and glucose in luminal-membrane vesicles from outer cortex (pars convoluta) and outer medulla (pars recta) of rabbit kidney were studied by a spectrophotometric method. Uptake of phenylalanine as well as of glucose by the two types of membrane vesicles was found to be Na+-dependent, electrogenic and stereospecific. Na+-dependent transport of L-phenylalanine by outer-cortical membrane vesicles could be accounted for by one transport system (KA congruent to 1.5 mM). By contrast, in the outer-medullary preparation, L-phenylalanine transport occurred via two transport systems, namely a high-affinity system with K1A congruent to 0.33 mM and a low-affinity system with K2A congruent to 7 mM respectively. Na+-dependent uptake of D-glucose by pars convoluta and pars recta membrane vesicles could be described by single, but different, transport systems, namely a low-affinity system with KA congruent to 3.5 mM and a high-affinity system with KA congruent to 0.30 mM respectively. Attempts to calculate the stoichiometry of the different Na+/D-glucose transport systems by using Hill-type plots revealed that the ratio of the Na+/hexose co-transport probably is 1:1 in the case of pars convoluta and 2:1 in membrane vesicles from pars recta. The Na+/L-phenylalanine stoichiometry of the pars convoluta transporter probably is 1:1. Both the high-affinity and the low-affinity Na+-dependent L-phenylalanine transport system of pars recta membrane vesicles seem to operate with a 1:1 stoichiometry. The physiological importance of the arrangement of low-affinity and high-affinity transport systems along the kidney proximal tubule is discussed.
Renal transport of neutral amino acids. Demonstration of Na+-independent and Na+-dependent electrogenic uptake of l-proline, hydroxy-l-proline and 5-oxo-l-proline by luminal-membrane vesicles
Authors: Røigaard-Petersen H , Sheikh M I
Published: August 2015

Uptake of L-proline, hydroxy-L-proline and 5-oxo-L-proline by luminal-membrane vesicles isolated either from whole cortex or from pars convoluta or pars recta of proximal tubules was studied by a spectrophotometric method. Uptake of L-proline and hydroxy-L-proline by vesicles from whole cortex was mediated by both Na+-dependent and Na+-independent, but electrogenic, processes, whereas transport of 5-oxo-L-proline in these vesicles was strictly Na+-dependent. Eadie-Hofstee analysis of saturation-kinetic data suggested the presence of multiple transport systems in luminal-membrane vesicles from whole renal cortex for the uptake of all these amino acids. Tubular localization of the transport systems was studied by the use of vesicles derived from pars convoluta and from pars recta. In pars recta transport of all three amino acids was strictly dependent on Na+ and occurred via a high-affinity system (half-saturation: 0.1-0.3 mM). Cation-dependent but Na+-unspecific transport of low affinity for L-proline and hydroxy-L-proline was exclusively localized to the pars convoluta, which also contained a Na+-preferring system of intermediate affinity (half-saturation: L-proline, 0.75 mM; hydroxy-L-proline, 1.3 mM). 5-Oxo-L-proline was transported by low-affinity and Na+-dependent systems in both pars convoluta and pars recta. Competition experiments revealed that transport systems for L-proline and hydroxy-L-proline are common, but indicated separate high-affinity transport systems for 5-oxo-L-proline and L-proline in luminal-membrane vesicles from pars recta. The physiological importance of the presence of various neutral amino acid-transport systems in different segments of the proximal tubule is discussed.
A general expression for coupled enzyme assays of hysteretic enzymes
Authors: Woodrow I E , Manson G A
Published: August 2015

A general description of a system consisting of a hysteretic enzyme and a series of coupling enzymes is presented. The chloroplast enzyme sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase and a sequence of three coupling enzymes is used as an example. An analysis using first-order rate equations for the coupling enzymes shows that the observed relaxation time of the system is the sum of the relaxation times of the coupling enzymes and that of the hysteretic enzyme. The behaviour of a system with relatively low concentrations of coupling enzymes, where the first-order assumption is not valid, is analysed by computer stimulation. Several methods for the accurate determination of the relaxation time of the hysteretic enzyme are discussed.
Collagen heterogeneity and quantification in developing bovine nuchal ligament
Authors: Chambers C A , Shuttleworth C A , Ayad S , Grant M E
Published: August 2015

The collagenous components were investigated in peptic digests of developing bovine nuchal ligament. Types I and III collagen were the major species isolated, but the presence of types IV, V and VI was also shown. Changes in the pepsin-susceptibility of nuchal ligament during foetal development were observed. CNBr-cleavage peptide analysis indicated that type I collagen became cross-linked rapidly, as evidenced by the lack of alpha 1(I)CB6. At present it is not clear if this decrease in pepsin-susceptibility is due to cross-linking of collagen, to increased deposition of elastin, or to both. Quantification of collagen types I and III was shown to depend on the method used. When pepsin-solubilized material was examined an apparent increase in type III collagen with respect to foetal age was observed, whereas when CNBr digests of intact ligament were examined a relatively constant amount of type III collagen (approx. 24%) was found. The constant amount of type III collagen observed during foetal development changed at birth and increased in mature nuchal ligament to represent approx. 45% of the total collagen.
Triacylglycerol synthesis in goat mammary gland. The effect of ATP, Mg2+ and glycerol 3-phosphate on the esterification of fatty acids synthesized de novo
Authors: Hansen H O , Grunnet I , Knudsen J
Published: August 2015

Goat mammary-gland microsomal fraction by itself induces synthesis of medium-chain-length fatty acids by goat mammary fatty acid synthetase and incorporates short- and medium-chain fatty acids into triacylglycerol. Addition of ATP in the absence or presence of Mg2+ totally inhibits triacylglycerol synthesis from short- and medium-chain fatty acids, and severely inhibits synthesis de novo of medium-chain fatty acids. The inhibition by ATP of fatty acid synthesis and triacylglycerol synthesis de novo can be relieved by glycerol 3-phosphate. The effect of ATP could not be mimicked by the non-hydrolysable ATP analogue, adenosine 5′-[beta, gamma-methylene]triphosphate and could not be shown to be caused by inhibition of the diacylglycerol acyltransferase by a phosphorylation reaction. Possible explanations for the mechanism of the inhibition by ATP are discussed, and a hypothetical model for its action is outlined.
The nickel ion environment in jack bean urease
Authors: Alagna L , Hasnain S S , Piggott B , Williams D J
Published: August 2015

Preliminary results of an extended X-ray absorption fine structure (e.x.a.f.s.) and X-ray absorption near edge structure study of jack bean urease have recently been reported [Hasnain & Piggott (1983) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 112, 279]. These results indicate that the environment of the nickel ion in the enzyme is similar to that in the model compounds Ni(L)2(L')1(ClO4)1 (where L is 1-n-propyl-2-alpha-hydroxybenzylbenzimidazole and L' is the deprotonated form) and Ni(HMB)3(Br)2 (where HMB is 2-hydroxymethylbenzimidazole), the closest similarity being with Ni(L)2-(L')1(ClO4)1. A detailed e.x.a.f.s. analysis has now been carried out and the crystal structures of the two model compounds solved. These results are reported here.
Differences between the electric fields of the catalytic sites of papain and actinidin detected by using the thiol-located nitrobenzofurazan label as a spectroscopic reporter group
Authors: Brocklehurst K , Salih E , Lodwig T S
Published: August 2015

The catalytic-site thiol groups of papain (EC 3.4.22.2) and actinidin (EC 3.4.22.14) were each labelled with the nitrobenzofurazan (Nbf) chromophore by reaction with 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan at pH 4.4. The electronic-absorption spectra of both labelled enzymes were determined in aqueous solution, in the pH ranges approx. 2-5 for S-Nbf-papain and approx. 3.3-8 for S-Nbf-actinidin, and for the latter also in 6 M-guanidinium chloride. The spectrum of S-Nbf-papain is characterized by lambda max. = 402 nm at pH 5 and by lambda max. = 422 nm at pH 2.18. The pH-dependent shift in lambda max. accompanies a pH-dependent change in A 430, the nature of which is consistent with its dependence on a single ionizing group with pKa 3.7. The spectrum of S-Nbf-actinidin is pH-independent in the pH range approx. 3.3-8 and is characterized by lambda max. = 413 nm. This absorption maximum shifts to 425 nm in 6M-guanidinium chloride. These results are discussed and related to those reported previously from studies on papain and actinidin with various reactivity probes. Despite the close similarity in the catalytic sites of papain and actinidin deduced from X-ray-diffraction studies, the considerable differences in their reactivity characteristics are mirrored by differences in their electric fields detected by the Nbf spectroscopic label. The microenvironment in the catalytic site of actinidin appears to favour the existence of ions significantly more than in the corresponding region in papain.
Labelling of the integral proteins of sarcoplasmic-reticulum membranes
Authors: Gutweniger H E , Montecucco C
Published: August 2015

Photoreactive lipids were introduced into rabbit and rat sarcoplasmic-reticulum membranes to label specifically integral proteins. Evidence was obtained that, in addition to the Ca2+-dependent ATPase, the 160 000-Mr glycoprotein, the 53 000-56 000-Mr components and polypeptides of Mr 30 000, 20 000 and 6000 are integral components of sarcoplasmic-reticulum membranes.
The kinetics of ammonia release during the catalytic cycle of pig plasma amine oxidase
Authors: Rius F X , Knowles P F , Pettersson G
Published: August 2015

The time course of NH3 release during the catalytic cycle of pig plasma amine oxidase was followed by using the quenched-flow technique in conjunction with a sensitive assay for NH3. These studies were made under both air and O2-saturating conditions. The results establish unequivocally that NH3 is released in the step whereby a reduced enzyme species is re-oxidized by molecular O2 rather than in the step leading to the reduced enzyme. It is concluded that the catalytic cycle of the enzyme conforms to an aminotransferase mechanism rather than one in which an imine is an intermediate.
Endogenous substrate proteins for Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent, Ca2+-phospholipid-dependent and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases in mouse pancreatic islets
Authors: Thams P , Capito K , Hedeskov C J
Published: August 2015

The occurrence of endogenous substrate proteins for Ca2+-dependent protein kinase, augmented by either phospholipid or calmodulin, and for cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase was examined in homogenates and subcellular fractions of mouse pancreatic islets. Islet protein phosphorylation was enhanced by Ca2+-calmodulin; the major endogenous substrates in the homogenate were two proteins of Mr 53000 and 100000. The Mr-100000 phosphoprotein was localized to a 27000g-supernatant fraction, whereas the Mr-53000 phosphoprotein was present in a 27000g particulate fraction of mouse islets. In the presence of Ca2+, phosphatidylserine stimulated phosphorylation of 15 proteins, of Mr 17000-190000, in a 27000g-supernatant fraction. No effects of Ca2+ plus phosphatidylserine were observed in a 27000g particulate fraction of mouse islets. Examination of cyclic AMP-dependent protein phosphorylation revealed five substrate proteins, of Mr 23000-72000, present in the 27000g supernatant of mouse islets. No common substrates for either the two Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation systems or for the cyclic AMP-dependent and the Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation systems were noted. On the other hand, the actions of the cyclic AMP-sensitive and the Ca2+-phospholipid-sensitive systems may be overlapping, since two common substrates for them were noted in the 27000g-supernatant fraction. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that protein phosphorylation may play a role in the regulation of insulin secretion by Ca2+ and cyclic AMP. The extensive stimulatory effect of phosphatidylserine furthermore suggests that the Ca2+-phospholipid-sensitive protein kinase may prove to be a prominent phosphorylation system in pancreatic islets.
Mechanism of photoinactivation and re-activation in the bioluminescence system of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis
Authors: Anctil M , Shimomura O
Published: August 2015

The bioluminescence of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis takes place when the photoprotein mnemiopsin in the photocytes reacts with Ca2+. The luminescence is inhibited in sunlight and this photoinhibition is reversible by keeping the live specimens in the dark. The extracts of mnemiopsin are similarly photoinhibited, but the photoinhibition cannot be reversed in the dark. We have found that photo-inhibited mnemiopsin can be re-activated in the dark by incubation with coelenterazine and O2 only in solutions having a pH very close to 9.0. The re-activation in vivo probably takes place in the same manner, using the coelenterazine that is supplied from its abundant storage form. Various lines of experimental evidence suggest that the photoinactivation of mnemiopsin results in the dissociation of coelenterazine and oxygen from the molecule of photoprotein; the dissociated form of the former molecule is an inactive form of coelenterazine, not free coelenterazine.