bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CELL MEMBRANE CONSTITUENTS CONCERNED WITH TRANSPORT MECHANISMS
Authors: Wolfe L. S.
Published: December 2009

The biological membrane is a multiphasic, polyionic, regionally differentiated structure, the constituents of which are closely linked to the physiological and metabolic processes of the entire cell. Knowledge of the types of molecules, their orientation, and the relative importance of them for transport processes is still very fragmentary. The information at present available on the composition of the protoplast membrane, the red cell membrane, and the neuronal membrane is brought together and discussed in terms of the possible role in transport processes. A labile phosphate attached to protein or specific phosphatides or shared between them as a lipo-phosphoprotein complex is suggested as the intermediate in the active transport of sodium. The rapid phosphorylation of these constituents by ATP through the activity of membrane ATPase and their subsequent dephosphorylation could lead to rhythmic transitions in the configuration of membrane proteins and control active cation transport.
STUDIES ON BRAIN GANGLIOSIDES: II. ANALYSIS OF HUMAN BRAIN GANGLIOSIDE FRACTIONS OBTAINED BY PREPARATIVE THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY
Authors: Wherrett John R. , Lowden J. A. , Wolfe L. S.
Published: December 2009

Purified gangliosides prepared by the tetrahydrofuran procedure were chromatographed on thin layers of silica gel, using a solvent system of chloroform–methanol −7% ammonia, 55/40/10, v/v/v. A resorcinol detection spray revealed a complex reproducible pattern of five major and several minor components which was similar to that observed in crude lipid extracts of brain. The major components were isolated by a preparative thin-layer technique as a slow fraction containing three components, an intermediate, and a fast fraction. Analysis gave N-acetylneuraminic acid contents of 33.4%, 26.6%, and 15.8% for the slow, intermediate, and fast fractions and the following molar ratios of ceramide:glucose:galactose:hexosamine:N-acetylneuraminic acid: slow, 1.0:0.9:3.2:1.0:2.6; intermediate, 1.0:0.8:2.7:0.8:1.7; and fast, 1.0:0.8:2.2:0.7:0.8.
A STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF X-IRRADIATION AND PROTECTIVE AGENTS ON MICE USING Cr51
Authors: Vittorio P. V. , Dziubalo S.
Published: December 2009

Using Cr51 uptake as an index of radiation damage and recovery in mice, it was shown that all organs studied recovered from 100 r of X-irradiation during the experimental period (29 days). The kidneys recovered from 300 r, while the liver, spleen, thymus, lung, and duodenum were almost back to normal. The testes and heart showed evidence of considerable damage still existing at 29 days after 300 r. None of the organs recovered completely from 600 r during the same time period. Except for the first day after administration, the radioprotective agents used showed little or no effect on Cr51 uptake in the organs of nonirradiated mice. S-2-Aminoethylisothioureadihydrobromide (AET), serotonin (5HT), or the mixture of AET + 5HT appeared to aid the recovery of all of the organs studied except the testes, and the mixture of AET + 5HT provided better protection than either agent used singly.The chromium method is especially useful since it permits a large number of animals and a wide variety of organs to be examined simultaneously. It can also be used to determine the value of radioprotective drugs or mixtures of drugs in protecting various organs of the body against different doses of X-irradiation.
ALDOLASE ACTIVITY IN NORMAL AND DYSTROPHIC MOUSE MUSCLE
Authors: Srivastava U. , Berlinguet L.
Published: December 2009

Aldolase activity and nitrogen content of the muscle were determined in hereditary muscular dystrophic mice and their normal litter mates at various ages. Aldolase activity was found to decrease in dystrophic muscle when expressed per mg of wet tissue but showed an increase at later stages of the disease when expressed per mg of total nitrogen in muscle. Total nitrogen content of dystrophic muscle decreased considerably during the evolution of the disease. In normal mice, the muscle aldolase activity increases with age.
A STUDY ON THE "IN VITRO" SYNTHESIS OF CITRULLINE: PART II. EFFECT OF GLUTAMIC ACID AND DERIVATIVES IN THE PRESENCE OF FUMARIC ACID
Authors: Charbonneau René , Berlinguet Louis
Published: December 2009

The role of N-carbamyl, N-acetyl, and L-glutamic acids with and without fumaric acid on the "in vitro" synthesis of citrulline was studied by using a particulate fraction obtained from a rat liver homogenate and a partially purified citrulline-synthesizing enzyme system. In the presence of a particulate fraction of rat liver homogenate, N-carbamyl and N-acetyl-L-glutamic acids are unable to replace L-glutamic acid, which is essential for citrulline biosynthesis. However, in the presence of fumaric acid, they both give a better synthesis of citrulline than L-glutamic acid alone. It is postulated that the acyl derivatives serve only in the transport of "activated CO2" whereas fumaric acid enters the citric acid to furnish the essential ATP molecules. Glutamic acid would be able to perform both functions. However, in the presence of a system containing partially purified citrulline-synthesizing enzymes, L-glutamic acid is unable to replace N-carbamyl and N-acetyl-L-glutamic acids with or without fumaric acid. In such a system, L-glutamic acid cannot serve in the transport of "activated CO2". It is postulated that L-glutamic acid must be acetylated prior to its utilization in this respect.With the particulate fraction of rat liver homogenate, N-allyl aspartic acid inhibits totally the synthesis of citrulline both in the presence and absence of fumaric acid with or without glutamic or N-acetyl glutamic acids. It probably interferes with the transport of "activated CO2".
BLOOD AMINO ACID STUDIES: V. DETERMINATION OF THE LIMITING AMINO ACID IN DIETS
Authors: McLaughlan J. M.
Published: December 2009

Diets containing limiting amounts of various amino acids were fed to male weanling rats for 3–8 days. Levels of plasma lysine, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan were then determined. Comparisons were made of methods for utilizing plasma amino acid (PAA) data to predict the limiting amino acid in the diet. A modified PAA ratio method appeared reasonably satisfactory but dividing the PAA pattern of rats fed the test diets by that of rats fed an egg diet gave erroneous results. The PAA pattern of rats on the test diets expressed as a percentage of that of fasted rats appeared to give the most satisfactory results. By this method, designated as the PAA score, lysine was limiting in egg or oatmeal, cystine in casein, methionine in peas, and tryptophan in a mixture of corn and fish flour. PAA scores and weight gain data of rats given whole wheat bread with and without supplementary amino acids indicated that lysine was the first and threonine the second limiting amino acid in this diet. In other studies, rats given diets of corn meal with and without supplements of amino acids did not gain weight during a 7 day test. The PAA score, in agreement with reports in the literature, indicated that lysine and tryptophan were about equally limiting in corn. It was concluded that the PAA score correctly predicted the limiting amino acids in each of the diets tested.
ACETATE-1-C14UTILIZATION BY BROWN FAT FROM HAMSTERS IN COLD EXPOSURE AND HIBERNATION
Authors: Baumber Joan , Denyes Arliss
Published: December 2009

The in vitro conversion of acetate-1-C14to C14O2and C14-lipid by the interscapular and cervical brown fat depots of cold-exposed golden hamsters was measured. Tissue samples were taken from animals after 48 hours, 3 weeks, and 6–8 weeks in the cold, in hibernation, and arousing from hibernation and immediately after arousal. There was a depression in C14O2production by cervical tissue after 48 hours in the cold, and by interscapular tissue after 3 weeks in the cold. C14O2production by both depots remained low throughout acclimation, hibernation, and arousal. C14-Lipid production by both depots increased after 48 hours in the cold and remained high during acclimation. C14-Lipid production was depressed during hibernation and arousal, with recovery to acclimated levels at the end of arousal in the interscapular, but not in the cervical depot. Cervical brown fat had a higher conversion to both C14O2and C14-lipid than interscapular brown fat. Qualitatively, but not quantitatively, brown fat behaved similarly to white fat. It was concluded that increased lipogenic capacity is not a primary response of brown fat to cold exposure of the animal, but that some other pathway becomes highly active.
INACTIVATION OF PURIFIED AUTOPROTHROMBIN I WITH ANTITHROMBIN
Authors: Seegers Walter H. , Schröer Heinz , Kagami Mitsuyasu
Published: December 2009

Autoprothrombin Ic was obtained by activating prothrombin preparations with autoprothrombin C. Autoprothrombin Ip was obtained by activating prothrombin with the use of calcium ions and purified platelet factor 3. Both of these prothrombin derivatives were found to be inactivated by plasma and serum. Autoprothrombin Ic was studied most extensively and was found to be inactivated by purified antithrombin. When antithrombin was first combined to capacity with purified thrombin the power to neutralize autoprothrombin I was almost eliminated. Autoprothrombin II was not destroyed by antithrombin and was found in serum as the main procoagulant. Most likely it is not in plasma. Autoprothrombin Ic, autoprothrombin Ip, autoprothrombin C, and thrombin all have reactive groups that combine with antithrombin. The activity in 1 mg of purified autoprothrombin Ic was neutralized by 50 ml plasma. One milligram of autoprothrombin C was neutralized by 5 ml plasma, and 7 ml plasma was sufficient to neutralize 1 mg of thrombin. Antithrombin IV is regarded as a kinetic effect and not as a substance. From a review of the literature it is concluded that there is no adequate evidence for appreciable quantities of factor VII in serum, or that it occurs in plasma independent of prothrombin.
INFLUENCE OF ALIEN GENOME COMBINATIONS ON PROTEIN SYNTHESIS IN CEREALS
Authors: Yong F. C. , Unrau A. M.
Published: December 2009

Starch-gel electrophoresis of the water-soluble, salt-soluble, and alcohol soluble proteins of Triticale, Triticum durum, Secale cereale, Triticum vulgare, and Tritipyron revealed both qualitative and quantitative differences. The experimental evidence obtained indicated that the biosynthetic potential of the alien genomes in the synthetic species (Triticale) was not fully maintained. A variable influence of the tetraploid wheat (T. durum) genomes on protein synthesis in the three hexaploid cereals (Triticale, T. vulgare, and Tritipyron) was observed.
PAPAIN-PRODUCED FRAGMENTS OF HORSE ANTITOXIN: PHYS1COCHEMICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Authors: Cohen J. J. , Myers J. , Rose B. , Goodfriend L.
Published: December 2009

A mixture of γ- and β-globulins was prepared from horse antiserum to diphtheria toxin by ammonium sulfate precipitation. The mixture was treated with papain and separated into three fractions by chromatography on Sephadex G-100 columns. Peak 1 contained 5.0 S fragments; peak 2, 3.4 S; and peak 3, a mixture of 2.3 S and 0.3 S fragments. The 5.0 S component and the mixture of 2.3 S and 0.3 S components possessed divalent antibody activity, while the 3.4 S fragment was univalent. Although all fractions neutralized the dermonecrotic property of diphtheria toxin, the 5.0 S component neutralized 35 times as much toxin per unit weight as did the untreated globulin preparation.
THE UTILIZATION OF CARBON-1 COMPOUNDS BY PLANTS: I. THE METABOLISM OF METHANOL-C14AND ITS ROLE IN AMINO ACID BIOSYNTHESIS
Authors: Cossins E. A.
Published: December 2009

Methanol-C14was rapidly metabolized by carrot tissue slices, pea cotyledons, soybean cotyledons, castor bean endosperm, beet storage tissues, and mature beet leaves. With the exception of beet storage tissues, carbon dioxide was a chief product of methanol metabolism. In all tissues, methanol carbon was also incorporated in the organic acids, sugars, amino acids, and the insoluble residue. Serine, methionine, methionine sulfone, and methionine sulfoxide were important labelled components present in the amino acid fractions separated. Degradation of the serine-C14that was produced by carrot tissues metabolizing methanol-C14showed that the bulk of the label was present in the 3-position. The results are interpreted as indicating that methanol can act as a precursor of the carbon-1 units that are to be utilized in transmethylation reactions leading to serine and methionine biosynthesis. In addition, methanol can be oxidized to carbon dioxide by these tissues, and this reaction possibly involves dehydrogenase systems.
THE METABOLISM OF PELARGONATE-1-C14BY WHEAT STEM RUST UREDOSPORES
Authors: Suryanarayanan S. , McConnell W. B.
Published: December 2009

Uredospores of Puccinia graminis var. tritici were incubated in phosphate buffer (pH 6.2) containing pelargonic acid-1-C14. After 3 hours 97.5% of the tracer was assimilated. Fifty-five percent of this was released as C14O2and 36.2% was incorporated into the spores. About one-half of the carbon-14 in the spores was soluble in ethanol and water, whereas nearly a third was ether extractable. The amino acid and carbohydrate fractions contained about equal amounts of carbon-14 and together accounted for two-thirds of the radioactivity in the ethanol–water extract. The organic acids were also radioactive. Glutamic acid, γ-aminobutyric acid, aspartic acid, and alanine were the most highly labelled amino acids. Fifty-three percent of the radioactivity in glutamic acid was found in carbon 1 and 46% in carbon 5. This distribution suggests β-oxidation of pelargonic acid to acetyl CoA and extensive utilization of the latter by means of the glyoxylate cycle.
BIOSYNTHESIS OF THE COUMARINS: VI. FURTHER STUDIES ON HERNIARIN FORMATION IN LAVENDER
Authors: Brown Stewart A.
Published: December 2009

Analyses of lavender plants, with careful precautions to avoid enzymic hydrolysis, have shown that herniarin exists in the plant at least 99% in a bound form, presumably cis-2-glucosyloxy-4-methoxycinnamic acid (cis-GMC). Traces of a glycoside of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxycinnamic acid (HMC), which appears identical with trans-GMC, have also been identified. Several pieces of evidence, principally the failure to demonstrate conversion of p-coumaric acid to p-methoxycinnamic acid by a trapping technique, now indicate that the latter compound, although an efficient precursor of herniarin when administered, may not be a natural intermediate in herniarin formation. O-Methylation, therefore, may occur at a later stage. Feedings of C14-labelled HMC have shown that it is converted to herniarin about one-fifth as efficiently as trans-GMC, the best herniarin precursor yet found. Trapping experiments with C14-labelled p-coumaric or p-methoxycinnamic acid and nonradioactive HMC demonstrated conversion of both labelled compounds to free HMC and to a bound form hydrolyzable with emulsin, presumably trans-GMC. The consistently higher specific activity of the bound HMC in these experiments suggests that free HMC, contrary to earlier assumptions, may not be an intermediate in the formation of bound HMC. Syntheses of herniarin-1-C14 and HMC-carboxy-C14 are described.
THE SYNTHESIS OF EXTRACELLULAR RIBONUCLEOSIDES BY ASCITES TUMOR CELLS IN VITRO
Authors: Paterson A. R. P.
Published: December 2009

Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells in vitro converted extracellular hypoxanthine to extracellular inosine if uridine or guanosine was provided in the medium at the rate of 20–30 μmoles per milliliter of cells per hour. The synthesis of external uridine also took place when cells were incubated with uracil and a purine ribonucleoside, but at a lower rate than that of inosine. Intact Ehrlich ascites cells catalyzed an exchange between labelled uracil and uridine when both were present in the incubation medium.The synthesis of the extracellular ribonucleoside appeared to be mediated by ribonucleoside phosphorylases and to take place by the transfer of the ribosyl group from a donor ribonucleoside to an acceptor base.
PHOSPHORUS METABOLISM IN VIRAL-INDUCED NEOPLASIA: II. IN VIVO AND IN VITRO STUDIES OF THE MILK AND MAMMARY GLAND LIPIDES OF STRAINS OF MICE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE MAMMARY TUMOR VIRUS
Authors: Newland James , McGregor R. F. , Cornatzer W. E.
Published: December 2009

Studies of phosphorus metabolism in the mammary glands of C3HZ, C3HZb, and A strain female mice have been carried out using P32-labeled inorganic phosphate. Chemical and radioactivity measurements of labeled phospholipides, nucleic acids, and phosphoproteins of mammary tissue were obtained. The fatty acid composition of the chromatographed and separated phospholipides, neutral fat, and free fatty acids of milk of high-cancer-strain (C3HZ and A) females were compared to patterns obtained for low-cancer-strain (C3HZb) females. The lipide pattern of the mammary tumor virus fraction obtained by ultra-centrifugation was investigated and compared to the results found for mammary gland and milk. The C3HZ female bearing mammary tumors exhibited increased synthesis of phospholipides and nucleic acids when compared to the genetically similar, low-cancer-strain C3HZb females and to identical C3HZ females that had not yet developed mammary tumors. Investigation of the phospholipide fatty acid composition of the milk and mammary glands of high- and low-cancer strains revealed further marked differences with respect to the palmitoleic and linoleic acid content.
THE EFFECT OF NEUTRAL SALTS ON PARTICLE PREPARATIONS FROM RAT LIVER: II. EFFECTS OF NEUTRAL SALTS ON TRICARBOXYLIC ACID CYCLE REACTIONS
Authors: Tustanoff E. R. , Stewart H. B.
Published: December 2009

In a previous paper it was shown that neutral salt or sucrose, probably as a consequence of osmotic activity, interferes with the utilization of pyruvate by washed particle preparations from rat liver. In the present paper the effects of neutral salt on reaction sequences in the tricarboxylic acid cycle have been investigated. α-Oxoglutarate utilization is inhibited by salt in a fashion that closely resembles the osmolar inhibition of pyruvate oxidation. Citrate, but not cis-aconitate or isocitrate, utilization is inhibited by salt concentrations somewhat greater than those required for inhibition of α-oxo acid metabolism. Succinate, fumarate, and malate utilization are not highly sensitive to salt inhibition, and anaerobic utilization of citrate in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline does not appear to be affected by salt.
PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES DERIVED FROM PROTHROMBIN
Authors: Landaburu Ricardo H. , Abdala Osvaldo E. , Morrone Miguel J.
Published: December 2009

Prothrombin activation is a proteolytic degradation of the molecule that results in the formation of three enzymes with proteolytic capacity. The enzymes derived (thrombin, autoprothrombin C, and a new enzyme, prothrombin activating derivative B (PAD-B)) can use prothrombin as substrate. The new enzyme has been purified; the N-terminal amino acid is different from those of thrombin and autoprothrombin C. Kinetic studies give different Kmvalues for the interaction between the substrate (prothrombin) and thrombin, autoprothrombin, and PAD-B. PAD-B corrects the hemophiliac plasma defect in the same way as autoprothrombin C, but PAD-B is more active on a weight basis.
THE ESTRONE CONTENT OF HEN'S URINE
Authors: Common R. H. , Ainsworth L. , Hertelendy F. , Mathur R. S.
Published: December 2009

Brown's method for the determination of estrogens in human urine has been studied as regards applicability to hen's urine. The specificity of the method was satisfactory for the estrone fraction but was not satisfactory for the estradiol and estriol fractions.The values for urinary estrone (uncorrected for methodological losses) for nonlaying hens lay within the range 0.7 to 1.2 micrograms per day. The level rose over a period of about 2 weeks before laying began and attained peak values 3 to 5 days before oviposition of the first egg. Thereafter, the level fell slightly and lay within the range 2.2 to 5.0 micrograms per day during the laying period. Two birds that stopped laying displayed a sharp drop to nonlaying levels about the time the last egg was laid.
THE EFFECT OF THE LIVER ON PLASMA CHOLESTEROL LEVELS IN THE RAT
Authors: Tinoco J. , Lyman R. L. , Okey Ruth
Published: December 2009

Blood samples were taken from the femoral and hepatic veins of the same rat. The blood from the hepatic vein had a higher concentration of glucose than blood from the femoral vein. Plasma from the femoral vein always had a higher level of cholesteryl esters than plasma from the hepatic vein, indicating that the liver was absorbing cholesteryl esters. Fatty acid patterns were determined for plasma cholesteryl esters, triglycerides, and phospholipids; there was little difference in pattern between samples taken from the hepatic vein and samples from the femoral vein.
DYNAMIC ASPECTS OF THE TRICARBOXYLIC ACID CYCLE IN ISOLATED MITOCHONDRIA
Authors: Williams G. R.
Published: December 2009

A system has been devised in which an ion chamber is used to monitor continuously the output of C14O2from metabolizing suspensions. Some preliminary applications or this system to kinetic aspects of the tricarboxylic acid cycle in isolated mitochondria are reported. In this in vitro system the dehydrogenation of succinate appears to limit the rate of flow of C14through the cycle.
THE DIRECT ACTION OF CCl4ON THE METABOLISM OF LIVER SLICES
Authors: Weldon Peter R. , Rubenstein Bernard , Rubinstein David
Published: December 2009

The metabolism of glucose, galactose, leucine, acetate, and palmitate by rat liver slices incubated in the presence of varying amounts of CCl4was studied. Carbon tetrachloride, 1 to 9 μl, introduced into the side arm of a Warburg vessel, produced concentrations in the slices of 0.4 to 3.3 mg/g liver. At these concentrations the CCl4produced a decrease in C14O2production from succinate-2,3-C14and glucose-6-C14, but not from glucose-1-C14. The presence of CCl4did not appreciably affect CO2production from glucose-U-C14or galactose-1-C14but stimulated the incorporation of the monosaccharides into glycogen at the lower concentrations (1 mg CCl4/g liver). Higher concentrations of CCl4(2 mg/g liver) inhibited glycogen synthesis; the activities of glycogen synthetase and phosphorylase were decreased, but amylase activity and the level of glucose-6-phosphate in the liver slices remained unchanged. The oxidation of palmitate-1-C14and acetate-1-C14to C14O2is decreased at the higher concentrations of CCl4, while lipogenesis from acetate is stimulated by lower concentrations of CCl4. Esterification of palmitate is not affected by the presence of CCl4. It is concluded that the function of the tricarboxylic acid cycle is altered by CCl4and that acetate may be shunted into fatty acids. The oxidation of leucine-1-C14and the incorporation of the amino acid into protein were diminished in the presence of low concentrations of CCl4. These findings and the changes observed after CCl4administration in vivo are compared, and support is found for the view that CCl4affects hepatic metabolism in vivo directly.
TRANSAMINATION IN PLANTS: THE SPECIFICITY OF AN AMINOTRANSFERASE FROM MUNG BEAN
Authors: Gamborg Oluf L.
Published: December 2009

A study has been made of the specificity of an aminotransferase from mung bean (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.). The enzyme was purified 40- to 60-fold by using Sephadex G-50, ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-cellulose, and hydroxylapatite. In the presence of pyruvate the enzyme transaminated a number of cyclic and aliphatic amino acids. Some of the better substrates were lysine, arginine, ornithine, glutamine, methionine, leucine, 4-fiuorophenyl-alanine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, and γ-phenylbutyrine. Threonine, serine, and glycine were not transaminated. Lysine, methionine, and glutamate were competitive inhibitors of the transamination of phenylalanine.
THE EFFECT OF THALIDOMIDE AND ITS DERIVATIVES ON THYROXINE-INDUCED METAMORPHOSIS OF TADPOLE
Authors: Kim H. C. , Paik W. K. , D'Iorio A.
Published: December 2009

Thalidomide and its derivatives are inhibitory to both morphological and biochemical changes occurring during thyroxine-accelerated metamorphosis of the tadpole. In general, the morphological changes are more affected than the biochemical differentiation. Thyroxine treatment increases the amount of the liver glucosamine, while simultaneous treatment with thalidomide has no effect on the content of this compound. Treatment of the tadpoles with thyroxine alone or thyroxine and thalidomide does not affect the adrenaline and noradrenaline contents of kidney and brain. Thus, the effect of thalidomide on the metamorphosis of tadpole induced by thyroxine is quite selective. These changes were brought about at a thalidomide concentration of 1 × 10−4 M, which is the lowest ever reported to be effective in biological systems.
THE SECONDARY ANTIBODY RESPONSE IN TISSUE CULTURE: II. DIFFERENCES IN THE COURSE OF ANTIBODY SYNTHESIS TO DIPHTHERIA TOXOID AND RAT SERUM ALBUMIN
Authors: Juhasz A. , Richter M.
Published: December 2009

Lymph node fragments taken from rabbits previously immunized by a single footpad injection of both rat serum albumin and diphtheria toxoid were exposed to a secondary stimulus with either of these two antigens in vitro. The resulting secondary response was followed in tissue culture for a month. A difference was established in the antibody responses to rat albumin and diphtheria toxoid. Anti-diphtheria antibody formation was found to be more sensitive to hydrocortisone and less dependent on the presence of serum in the medium.
INFLUENCES OF PROTAMINE ON THE Na+, K+-DEPENDENT ATPase AND ON THE ACTIVE TRANSPORT PROCESSES OF POTASSIUM AND OFL-DOPA INTO BRAIN SLICES
Authors: Yoshida H. , Fujisawa H. , Ohi Y.
Published: December 2009

The influences of protamine on Na+, K+-dependent ATPase and active transport processes of potassium and L-dopa into brain cortex slices of guinea pig were examined. Addition of protamine to the soluble ATPase preparation extracted from brain microsomes resulted in the formation of a precipitate. Protamine slightly stimulated the activity of the Na+, K+-dependent ATPase in the soluble and microsomal preparations from the guinea pig brain. However, pretreatment of the ATPase preparations with protamine at 37 °C or 45 °C resulted in a loss of Na+, K+-dependent ATPase activity, though the activity of Mg++-ATPase was not influenced. These effects of protamine on the Na+, K+-dependent ATPase were antagonized by the presence of cations.Active transport of potassium and of L-dopa into the slices was decreased by pretreatment of the slices with protamine in sucrose medium at 37 °C. However, at a low temperature or in Ringer solution there was no remarkable effect. The role of Na+, K+-dependent ATPase in the active transport of potassium and of L-dopa is discussed on the basis of these results.
ADDITIONAL STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF ACTH
Authors: McKerns Kenneth W.
Published: December 2009

Additional studies are presented to support the concept that ACTH regulates the function of the adrenal cortex by activating adrenal glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Corticoid synthesis in a cell-free system of adrenal tissue, supplemented with glucose-6-phosphate, can be stimulated by synthetic 23 amino acid ACTH. ACTH is inactive if the lysine residues of the peptide chain are blocked. Estrogen competes with NADP+binding to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and inhibits the ACTH stimulus to steroidogenesis. Puromycin and other protein inhibitors have no effect on the initial activation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and steroidogenesis. With longer incubation times puromycin can completely inhibit steroidogenesis, possibly by poisoning microsomal or mitochondrial elements. The initial event in the ACTH effect would seem to be the formation of an active complex of ACTH with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. This increases the rate of metabolism of glucose-6-phosphate and the rate of reduction of NADP+required for the hydroxylation reactions in corticoid synthesis. The increased activity of the pentose phosphate pathway with increased production of ribose sugars and ATP could increase DNA-directed RNA and protein synthesis as a secondary event.
STUDIES ON GLYCINE-PERCOLATED SOIL: I. CORRELATION BETWEEN GLYCINE OXIDATION AND BACTERIAL POPULATION
Authors: Furusaka C. , Sato K.
Published: December 2009

It is of interest to determine how the soil percolation technique may be of use for the elucidation of soil processes from the microbiological viewpoint as well as from the biochemical one. An attempt has been made to correlate the growth of heterotrophic bacteria with their chemical activities when soil is percolated with glycine solution. A very close correlation has been observed between the population number of bacteria and their glycine–oxidizing activity. The physiological status of the population has been investigated. The metabolism of soil organic matter is also induced by the glycine percolation. The soil conditions under which the bacterial population can be considered in connection with their activities are discussed.
ERYTHROCYTE CATALASE AND DETOXICATION OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
Authors: Paniker N. V. , Iyer G. Y. N.
Published: December 2009

Erythrocytes from several animal species with widely differing catalase levels were exposed to H2O2and the susceptibility of Hb to oxidation measured. In the absence of glucose the rapidity of MHb formation was inversely related to the catalase activity and directly related to the concentration of H2O2attained. Added catalase or hemolysates of catalase-rich erythrocytes counteracted the effect of H2O2, while azide rendered Hb of even catalase-rich cells susceptible to rapid oxidation. Added glucose largely prevented the formation of MHb on exposure to H2O2; this protective effect was less marked in azide-treated cells than in control cells. These results suggest that catalase complements the protective action of glucose and thereby regulates MHb formation and accumulation in erythrocytes.
EFFECTS OF ALIPHATIC ALCOHOLS AND ALDEHYDES ON THE METABOLISM OF POTASSIUM-STIMULATED RAT BRAIN CORTEX SLICES
Authors: Majchrowicz Edward
Published: December 2009

Aliphatic alcohols and the corresponding aldehydes inhibit the oxidation of glucose-U-C14to C14O2, total respiratory carbon dioxide formation, and oxygen consumption by potassium-stimulated rat brain cortex slices. The inhibitory effects of alcohols increase with the increase of the length of carbon chain, which is similar to the inhibitory effects of alcohols on the metabolism of liver slices. Forty millimolar pentanol and ethanol inhibit C14O2formation by 92% and 17% respectively. However, aliphatic alcohols at a fraction of the concentrations used with brain slices severely suppress C14O2formation, total CO2formation, and incorporation of acetate-1-C14and glucose-U-C14into hepatic lipids and proteins.At low concentrations aldehyde inhibition increases rapidly with the concentration, which is in direct contrast to ethanol or propanol whose inhibitory effects change slightly. Three millimolar propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, and valeraldehyde are approximately 6 times more inhibitory to C14O2formation than the corresponding alcohols at 20 mM; acetaldehyde (3 mM), on the other hand, is approximately 24 times more inhibitory than 20 mM ethanol. These observations show that aldehydes affect the metabolism of brain slices in a different manner than the corresponding alcohols, which is consistent with the conclusion that there is no enzyme system present in the brain cortex slices responsible for the oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes. In contrast to aliphatic alcohols, the inhibitory effects of aldehydes do not increase with the length of aliphatic carbon chain. Of all alcohols and aldehydes tested, the inhibitions caused by acetaldehyde and valeraldehyde are most severe and approximately equal at equivalent concentrations. Three millimolar acetaldehyde and valeraldehyde suppress C14O2formation by 58% and 53% respectively. The effects of 3 mM propionaldehyde and butyraldehyde (29% and 26% respectively) are also approximately equal but smaller than those of either acetaldehyde or valeraldehyde.The observed inhibitory effects of alcohols on the metabolism of rat brain cortex slices support the suggestion that the site of ethanol inhibition is partly associated with that component of the oxidative system which is dependent on normal functioning of the active transport of sodium across the nerve cell membrane and partly due to acetaldehyde which is conveyed via the blood stream from liver to the brain. Similar deductions may apply to other aliphatic alcohols. The inhibitory effects of aldehydes are consistent with the conclusion that the inhibition depends on the properties of the aldehyde group rather than on the length of carbon chain, although their effects on ion transport across the nerve cell membrane have yet to be reported.
STUDIES ON THE N-DEMETHYLATION OF MORPHINE AND OTHER COMPOUNDS
Authors: Franklin Mervyn
Published: December 2009

The demethylation of morphine and a number of other compounds by a rat liver microsome preparation is described. A concentration of 40 mM nicotinamide was necessary in the system to obtain the optimal rate of demethylation. Only N-methyl compounds of plant or synthetic origin were demethylated while those which occur naturally in mammalian tissues were not demethylated. Nalorphine and levallorphan inhibited the demethylation of morphine. The administration of either morphine or cortisone caused a significant diminution in the demethylation of morphine.
SOME PROPERTIES OF THE INDUCED ENZYME CYANASE
Authors: Taussig Andrew
Published: December 2009

The inhibitory action of various anions on cyanase activity is described and it is shown that halides inhibit the enzyme competitively. The previously reported Kmvalue of cyanase was measured in the presence of NaCl and was therefore erroneous. The molecular weight of a partially purified enzyme was determined by gradient centrifugation in sucrose, but it seems probable that this molecular weight is that of a polymer. The high specificity and the heat stability of cyanase are also described.
EVIDENCE FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT OF CHOLINE IN RAT KIDNEY CORTEX SLICES
Authors: Sung Cheng-Po , Johnstone R. M.
Published: December 2009

The oxidation of methyl-14C-choline to betaine in rat kidney cortex slices is inhibited by DNP, by the hemicholinium, HC-3, and by the absence of Na+from the incubation medium. Corresponding inhibitions are not observed in kidney homogenates although appreciable conversion of choline to betaine takes place. The data suggest that choline transport occurs in rat kidney cortex and that it is an ATP- and Na+-dependent process. In Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, phosphocholine is accumulated to an appreciable extent in the cells, but no evidence for a specific choline transport mechanism was obtained.
PAPAIN-PRODUCED FRAGMENTS OF HORSE γ- AND β-GLOBULIN ANTITOXINS
Authors: Cohen J. J. , Myers J. , Rose B. , Goodfriend L.
Published: December 2009

Preparations consisting mostly of γ- or β-globulin were obtained from a horse antiserum to diphtheria toxin by ammonium sulfate precipitation. These preparations were treated with papain and the digests separated on Sephadex G-100 columns. The γ-globulin digests were resolved into a major 3.4 S component and smaller minor components. The β-globulin digest contained similar fragments and, in addition, a major 5.0 S component. All fragments neutralized toxin, the most active being the β-globulin 5.0 S and 3.4 S fragments. The 3.4 S γ- and β-globulin fragments were univalent. The 5.0 S β-globulin fragment was divalent, and it could be reduced to 3.4 S subunits by treatment with 0.3 M 2-mercaptoethanol.
ANALYSIS OF SOME ORGANIC ACIDS BY GAS–LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY
Authors: Canvin David T.
Published: December 2009

Reoplex 400 coated Chromosorb W (10% w/w on Chromosorb W, 60–80 mesh) columns (15 inches × [Formula: see text] inch) were used with an Aerograph A-90-P2 gas chromatograph. Complete separations and symmetrical peaks of the methyl esters of lactic, glycollic, oxalic, malonk, succinic, malic, aconitic, tartaric, citric, isocitric, and fumaric acids and isocitric acid lactone were obtained by programming the temperature at 4 °C/minute from 55 °C to 175 °C. Single acids could easily be assayed at an isothermal temperature. A linear relationship was obtained between the areas recorded and the quantities of acid injected. There was no consistent relationship between molecular species and response, so that the instrument was calibrated for each individual acid. The analyses of some plant materials for organic acids are presented.
EXCRETION OF 4(5)-AMINO-5(4)-IMIDAZOLECARBOXAMIDE AND FORMIMINO-L-GLUTAMIC ACID IN FOLIC ACID AND VITAMIN B12DEFICIENT RATS
Authors: McGeer P. L. , Sen N. P. , Grant D. A.
Published: December 2009

The excretion of 4(5)-amino-5(4)-imidazolecarboxamide (AIC) in the urines of normal rats, rats raised on a folic acid deficient diet, and rats raised on a vitamin B12deficient diet was measured. The AIC excretion was elevated 3-fold above normal in the B12deficient group and 1.5-fold above normal in the folic acid deficient group.No evidence could be found that the raised AIC excretion was associated with a block in the conversion of AIC to purines. The recovery of radioactive AIC in the urine after an intraperitoneal dose of 2 μmoles AIC per kg was not increased over normal in any of the deficient groups, and was significantly less than normal in the B12-deficient group. Most of the urinary radioactivity in all groups was in allantoin, uric acid, and purines.When a load of 220 μmoles of AIC per kg was administered there was no difference between the vitamin B12deficient and the normal groups in AIC recovery in the urine. When a load of 220 μmoles of urocanic acid per kg was administered, however, the B12-deficient group had an 18-fold increase over normal in Figlu excretion, and the folic acid deficient group a 17-fold increase. Thus, a substantial block in formimino-L-glutamic acid (Figlu) metabolism, but not in AIC metabolism, existed in the vitamin-deficient groups.Feeding a B12-deficient group a 2% methionine supplement reduced the Figlu excretion after a urocanic acid load to less than half that observed in B12-deficient groups without methionine supplementation, but had no influence on the AIC excretion.
THE METABOLISM OF MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDES: II. THE EFFECT OF ADRENALECTOMY ON ENZYMES INVOLVED IN GLUCURONIDE SYNTHESIS AND METABOLISM IN CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Authors: Foster T. S.
Published: December 2009

The levels of activity of hexokinase, phosphoglucomutase, uridine diphosphoglucose pyrophosphorylase, and uridine diphosphoglucose dehydrogenase, which are involved in the synthesis of glucuronic acid, and the activities of glucuronosyl transferase and β-glucuronidase, which are involved in its metabolism, were studied in connective tissue from sham-operated and adrenalectomized rats. Adrenalectomy resulted in a significant decrease in phosphoglucomutase activity and in significant increases in the activities of hexokinase, uridine diphosphoglucose dehydrogenase, and β-glucuronidase. Adrenalectomy had no effect upon the activities of uridine diphosphoglucose pyrophosphorylase or glucuronosyl transferase.The added stress of either a sham injection or injection of sesame oil, both given daily and intraperitoneally, resulted in a significant increase in hexokinase activity and a decrease in glucuronosyl transferase and β-glucuronidase activities, in both sham-operated and adrenalectomized animals. The other enzymes were unaffected.
METABOLISM OF CARNITINE IN COLD-ACCLIMATED RATS
Authors: Therriault D. G. , Mehlman M. A.
Published: December 2009

The body pool, half-life, and turnover time of carnitine in rats maintained at 25 °C and in rats exposed to 5 °C for a period of 6 weeks were measured. The level of free and lipid-bound carnitine in striated muscle of these animals was also determined.Results show that the body pool of carnitine is eight times greater in cold-acclimated rats than in rats maintained at 25 °C. On the other hand, the half-life and turnover time of carnitine in cold-acclimated rats is only one-half of that of rats kept at 25 °C.Analysis of striated muscle showed a parallel increase of carnitine in cold-acclimated rats. This increase in carnitine was accompanied by a corresponding increase in acylcarnitine.
CAPSULAR POLYSACCHARIDES OF SERRATIA MARCESCENS
Authors: Adams G. A. , Young Robert
Published: December 2009

Four polysaccharides were isolated from the capsular layer of Serratia marcescens cells grown on a sucrose medium. In composition, electrophoretic behavior, and sedimentation in the ultracentrifuge, all were shown to be markedly different. Analytical data indicated that the polysaccharides were an acidic glucomannan (I), a rhamnoglucan (II), a glucoheptan (III), and a rhamnoheptoglucan (IV). In I, in addition to the main acidic component D-glucuronic acid, a small amount of guluronic acid was also identified. A relatively high protein or peptide content in the purified polysaccharides suggested that it was firmly bound to the carbohydrate structure; "bound" lipid consisting mainly of hydroxymyristic acid was also a part of the structure. Methylation studies established the main glycosidic linkages in I, II, and III. The capsular polysaccharides had properties similar to those of polysaccharides isolated from a culture filtrate of S. marcescens in an earlier study, and a possible relationship between these two groups of polysaccharides is discussed.
LIPIDS OF THE FIN WHALE (BALAENOPTERA PHYSALUS) FROM NORTH ATLANTIC WATERS: I. FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF WHOLE BLUBBER AND BLUBBER SECTIONS
Authors: Ackman R. G. , Eaton C. A. , Jangaard P. M.
Published: December 2009

Oils from sectioned blubber, whole blubber oils, and commercial oils from the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) taken in Nova Scotia waters have been examined. The general properties include much lower iodine values (105–117) than those commonly reported for North Atlantic (Arctic) baleen whales. The fatty acid composition pattern has been determined by gas–liquid chromatography and varies systematically with the type of acid across the blubber section, the inner section having the highest iodine value. The roles of the blubber in physiological functions other than as an insulating layer are discussed in terms of fatty acid composition.
STARFISH INSULIN
Authors: Wilson S. , Falkmer S.
Published: December 2009

Acid–isopropanol extraction of digestive tissue from the starfish (Pisaster ochraceous) yielded material with properties resembling those of insulins from vertebrate species. The starfish extract enhanced glycogen deposition in mouse diaphragm tissue, with a dose–response slope similar to that of crystalline insulin from the ox; this specific effect of the starfish material was significantly reduced by a large excess of guinea pig antiserum to ox insulin, proving that the active starfish substance was insulin. The crude starfish insulin was similar to ox insulin in sensitivity to mercaptoethanol and was able to provoke cutaneous anaphylaxis in guinea pigs passively immunized with antiserum to ox insulin. Pseudoisocyanine-stained sections of starfish digestive tissue revealed metachromatic granules similar to those seen in mammalian β-cells.
STUDIES WITH THE ATPase OF ADRENAL MEDULLA
Authors: Hagen P. , D'Iorio A.
Published: December 2009

The intracellular distribution of the ox adrenal medullary ATPase has been studied. This enzyme was found to be mainly associated with the mitochondrial and microsomal fractions, while the chromaffin granules contained but little activity.Other phosphate-metabolizing enzymes, such as pyrophosphatase and β-glycerophosphatase, were also found to be mainly in the mitochondrial and microsomal fractions. Furthermore, the mitochondria contained most of the adenylate kinase activity of the adrenal medulla.The distribution studies indicated that ATPase and pyrophosphatase are two different enzymes. The mitochondrial ATPase appeared to give as reaction products 1 mole of AMP and 2 moles of orthophosphate. These products were shown to result from the activities of both ATPase and adenylate kinase. The ATPase was activated by magnesium but not by sodium or potassium ions. The physiological significance of these various enzymes of the adrenal medulla is discussed.
FURTHER STUDIES OF CHANGES IN PLASMA PROTEINS IN AVIAN ERYTHROBLASTOSIS: II. INVOLVEMENT OF α-LIPOPROTEIN
Authors: Merriman Mohendra , Darcel C. le Q.
Published: December 2009

Earlier studies with paper and starch gel electrophoresis of plasma from birds with erythroblastosis indicated an alteration in the mobility of one of its protein components. This protein has now been shown to be α-lipoprotein. Efforts have been made to simulate leukemic changes experimentally in normal plasma. Of all the treatments and materials tried, only incubation with turpentine and pinene compounds produced alterations in the electrophoretic pattern closely resembling those in leukemia.
METABOLISM OF THE YOLK PHOSPHOLIPIDS BY THE DEVELOPING CHICK EMBRYO
Authors: Noble R. C. , Moore J. H.
Published: December 2009

A study was made of the concentrations and fatty acid compositions of the various phospholipids in the yolks of fertile unincubated eggs and in the yolks of eggs that had been incubated for 13,15,17,19, and 21 days. Phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl ethanolamine accounted for 69 and 24% respectively of the total phospholipids present in the yolk of the unincubated egg. The remaining 7% was accounted for by small amounts of phosphatidyl serine, sphingomyelin, and a phospholipid fraction that was tentatively identified as diphosphatidyl glycerol. Although the percentage of total phospholipids in the total yolk lipid did not vary during incubation, there was a pronounced increase in the phosphatidyl choline: phosphatidyl ethanolamine ratio as incubation proceeded. The phosphatidyl ethanolamine fraction was the only phospholipid fraction present in the yolk that showed any consistent change in fatty acid composition during incubation. The concentration of docosahexaenoic acid in the fatty acids of the yolk phosphatidyl ethanolamine decreased from 8% on day 0 to 1.6% on day 21. It is suggested that the developing embryo preferentially absorbs from the yolk a phosphatidyl ethanolamine fraction that is relatively rich in docosahexaenoic acid.
HYDROLYTIC ENZYMES IN BOVINE SKELETAL MUSCLE: I. STARCH GEL ELEGTROPHORETIC SEPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF SOLUBLE ESTERASES
Authors: MacRae H. F. , Randall C. J.
Published: December 2009

Water-soluble esterases of certain bovine skeletal muscles were separated by horizontal zone electrophoresis in starch gel in a discontinuous ouffer system. Eighteen bands of esterase activity were detected by the use of α-naphthyl acetate and α-naphthyl butyrate as substrates. Other substrates and various inhibitors were used to characterize the separated enzymes. A group of presumed isozymic esterases (three bands), which hydrolyzed α-naphthyl butyrate but not any other substrate tested, was sensitive to organophosphates, was heat labile, and was classified as aliesterase or, more specifically, as butyrylesterase. Another group of presumed isozymic esterases (four bands) hydrolyzed only α-naphthyl acetate and indoxyl acetates, was heat stable and resistant to organophosphates, and was tentatively classified as arylesterase or cathepsin. Eleven heat-labile esterase bands hydrolyzed both α-naphthyl acetate and α-naphthyl butyrate, were sensitive to organophosphates, and were classified as nonspecific aliesterases.