bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transamidase kinetics. Amide formation in the enzymic reactions of thiol esters with amines
Authors: Stenberg P , Curtis C G , Wing D , Tong Y S , Credo R B , Gray A , Lorand L
Published: August 2015

1. β-Phenylpropionylthiocholine and N-(5-aminopentyl)-5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulphonamide (dansylcadaverine) serve as a pair of water-soluble (pH7.5) model substrates for transamidating enzymes. Amide formation could be followed directly through fluorescence measurements by monitoring the continuous extraction of the water-soluble coupling product, N-(β-phenylpropionyl)dansylcadaverine, into n-heptane. By this procedure, the steady-state kinetics of glutamine-lysine endo-γ-glutamyltransferase from human plasma (fibrinoligase, thrombin- and Ca2+-activated blood coagulation Factor XII) and from guinea-pig liver (liver transglutaminase) were investigated at 25 degrees C. 2. With β-phenylpropionylthiocholine as the varied substrate, Lineweaver-Burk plots with various concentrations of dansylcadaverine intercept on the horizontal axis, suggesting that formation of the acyl-enzyme is rate limiting. 3. On the basis of functional normality of active sites, kcat. values of 1.8 s(-1) and 0.9 s(-1) were obtained for the plasma and liver γ-glutamyltransferase respectively. The two enzymes show identical affinities for the first substrate, β-phenylpropionylthiocholine, with Ka 4 times 10(-4) M. 4. Utilization of the second substrate, dansylcadaverine, appears to be an order of magnitude more efficient with the liver enzyme. 5. N-(5-Amino-3-thiapentyl)-5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulphonamide (dansylthiacadaverine) could be used instead of dansylcadaverine in the fluorescent kinetic system. 6. Competitive inhibition by a non-fluorescent amine substrate histamine was also evaluated.
A deactivating conformational change induced by reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate in a Neurospora glutamate dehydrogenase
Authors: Gore M G , Iwatsubo M
Published: August 2015

Stopped-flow fluorescence techniques have been used to observe the formation of the binary comples of E-NADPH. At pH 7.5 there is a protein conformational change after the formation of the binary complex. This conformational change can be detected by a decrease in the fluorescence intensity of the complex at 350 nm and by an increase in its fluorescence intensity at 450 nm.
Interaction of bilirubin with reconstituted collagen fibrils
Authors: Kapoor C L
Published: August 2015

1. Interaction of bilirubin with collagen fibrils was explored in a two-phase system where collagen was present as an opaque rigid gel composed of striated fibrils, and bilirubin as an aqueous solution. 2. The Ka value of the binding of bilirubin to collagen fibrils is 5.4 X 10(3)M-1. The interaction of bilirubin with collagen fibrils depends on temperature. Below 5 degrees C, the binding is greatly diminished and denaturation of collagen fibril aggregates at 52--53 degrees C into a dissolution state abolishes binding of bilirubin. 3. Salicylate and sulphanilamide do not affect the binding of bilirubin to reconstituted collagen fibrils. 4. Serum albumin (40–80mM), known to reverse the binding of bilirubin to lipids, dissociates only 50% of the bilirubin bound to collagen fibrils. This suggests that sites located on collagen participate in some tight binding of bilirubin and the corresponding binding sites on albumin do not compete with them. 5. Urea (4M) abolishes more than 70% of the binding of bilirubin to collagen. Urea and thermal denaturation studies indicate the importance of conformation and organization of collagen fibrillar aggregates for the binding of bilirubin.
pH-dependence of 13C chemical shifts and 13C,H coupling constants in imidazole and L-histidine.
Authors: Wasylishen R E , Tomlinson G
Published: August 2015

The pH-dependence of selected 13C chemical shifts reflects the state of ionization of the imidazole ring in both imidazole and L-histidine. Titration of the amino and carboxyl groups of histidine also perturbs the shifts. The coupling constants 1J (13C(2),H) and 1J (13C(5),H) for both compounds also vary with pH, but in L-histidine these constants are relatively insensitive to the titration of groups outside the imidazole ring.
Deoxyribonucleic acid-dependent ribonucleic acid polymerase activity in rat liver after protein restriction
Authors: Andersson G M , von der Decken A
Published: August 2015

Rats were fed for 6 days on a diet containing either 3 or 20% high-quality protein. Nuclei were isolated from liver and DNA-dependent RNA polymerases (EC 2.7.7.6) extracted with 1 M-(NH4)2SO4. The proteins were then precipitated with 3.5 M-(NH4)2SO4 and after dialysis applied to a DEAE-Sephadex column. The column was developed with a gradient of (NH4)2SO4. Polymerase I separated well from α-amanitin-sensitive polymerase II. The enzyme activities were compared between the two dietary groups. Rats that had received 3% protein showed a lower polymerase I activity per g wet wt. of liver, per mg of DNA and per mg of protein. Polymerase II was lower in activity per g wet wt. of liver and per mg of DNA, but was higher per mg of protein. Polyacrylamide-gel electrophoretograms showed a higher proportion of contaminating proteins in polymerase II fractions isolated from 20%-protein-fed rats. The data explain the lower activity obtained per mg of protein in these rats. It is concluded that a decrease in dietary protein content from 20 to 3% induces a fall in content and specific activity of RNA polymerase I and II in liver.
The stimulation by transmitter substances and putative transmitter substances of the net activity of phospholipase A2 of synaptic membranes of cortex of guinea-pig brain
Authors: Gullis R J , Rowe C E
Published: August 2015

1. The distribution of the hydrolyses of phosphatidylcholine by phospholipase A2 and phospholipase A1, and the hydrolysis of lysophosphatidylcholine by lysophospholipase, in subcellular and subsynaptosomal fractions of cerebral cortices of guinea-pig brain, was determined. 2. Noradrenaline stimulated hydrolysis by phospholipase A2 in whole synaptosomes, synaptic membranes and fractions containing synaptic vesicles. 3. Stimulation of hydrolysis by phospholipase A2 in synaptic membranes by noradrenaline was enhanced by CaCl2, and by a mixture of ATP and MgCl2. The optimum concentration of CaCl2, in the presence of ATP and MgCl2, for stimulation by 10 muM-noradrenaline was in the range 1-10muM. The optimum concentration for ATP-2MgCl2 in the presence of 1 muM-CaCl2 was in the range 0.1-1mM. 4. Hydrolysis by phospholipase A2 of synaptic membranes was also stimulated by acetylcholine, carbamoylcholine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine (3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine), histamine, psi-aminobutyric acid, glutamic acid and aspartic acid. With appropriate concentrations of cofactors, sigmoidal dose-response curves were obtained, half-maximum stimulations being obtained with concentrations of stimulant in the range 0.1-1muM. 5. Taurine also stimulated hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine by phospholipase A2. There were only slight stimulations with methylamine, ethylenediamine or spermidine. No stimulation was obtained with glucagon.
The localization of glycollate-pathway enzymes in Euglena
Authors: Collins N , Merrett M J
Published: August 2015

Isolation of organelles from broken-cell suspensions of phototrophically grown Euglena gracilis Klebs was achieved by isopycnic centrifugation on sucrose gradients. 2. Equilibrium densities of 1.23g/cm3 for peroxisome-like particles, 1.22g/cm3 for mitochondria and 1.17g/cm3 for chloroplasts were recorded. 3. The enzymes glycollate dehydrogenase, glutamate-glyoxylate aminotransferase, serineglyoxylate aminotransferase, aspartate-α-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, hydroxy pyruvate reductase and malate dehydrogenase were present in peroxisome-like particles. 4. Unlike higher plants glycollate dehydrogenase and glutamate-glyoxylate aminotransferase were present in the mitochondria of Euglena. 5. Rates of glycollate and D-lactate oxidation were additive in the mitochondria, and, although glycollate dehydrogenase was inhibited by cyanide, D-lactate dehydrogenase activity was unaffected. 6. Glycollate oxidation was linked to O2 uptake in mitochondria but not in peroxisome-like particles. This glycollate-dependent O2 uptake was inhibited by antimycin A or cyanide. 7. The physiological significance of glycollate metabolism in Euglena mitochondria is discussed, with special reference to its role in photorespiration in algae.
Regulation of branched-chain amino acid oxidation in isolated muscles, nerves and aortas of rats
Authors: Buse M G , Jursinic S , Reid S S
Published: August 2015

1. The oxidation of the three branched-chain amino acids was regulated in parallel fashion in rat tissues studied in vitro. 2. With 0.1 mM-[1-14C]isoleucine as substrate in the presence of 5.5 mM-glucose, 14CO2 production was 0.6 mumol/2 h per g in the aorta, 0.3 in peripheral nerve, 0.2 in muscle and 0.13 in spinal cord. 3. The ratio 14C oxidized/14C incorporated into proteins with 0.1 mM-[1-14C]leucine was 1.3 in hemidiaphragms, 3.3 in sciatic nerve and 1.0 in nerves undergoing Wallerian degeneration. Leucine oxidation decreased only slightly during degeneration, but protein synthesis doubled. 4. Hemidiaphragms incubated with [1-14C]leucine or 4-methyl-2-oxo[1-14C]pentanoate increased 14CO2 production 7-9-fold as substrate concentration was increased from 0.1 to 0.5 mM; under the same conditions 14CO2 production by nerves increased only 2-3-fold. 5. 2-Oxoglutarate stimulated the oxidation of the branched-chain amino acids by muscles and peripheral nerves and the oxidation of 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate by hemidiaphragms but not by nerves. 6. Octanoate (0.1-1.0 mM) markedly stimulated the oxidation of branched-chain amino acids and of 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate in hemidiaphragms, but inhibited oxidation of both by peripheral nerves and spinal cord. In aortas, oxidation of isoleucine (the only substance tested) was inhibited by octanoate. 7. The effects of octanoate and 2-oxoglutarate on leucine oxidation by hemidiaphragms were additive at low concentrations. When maximally stimulating concentrations of either agent were used, addition of the other was ineffective. 8. Pyruvate inhibited the oxidation of branched-chain amino acids and 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate in all tissues tested. 9. Insulin did not affect the oxidation of 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate by muscles or nerves. 10. The oxidative decarboxylation of the branched-chain alpha-oxo acids is suggested as a regulatory site of branched-chain amino acid oxidation. Differences in regulation between muscle on the one hand, and nerve and aorta on the other, are discussed.
The effects of adenine nucleotides and guanine nucleotides on urate synthesis de novo by isolated chick liver and kidney cells
Authors: Badenoch-Jones P , Buttery P J
Published: August 2015

Isolated chick liver and kidney cells produce urate de novo from glycine, and this is partially inhibited by 1 mm-AMP and by 1 mm-GMP in liver cells but not in kidney cells. Azaserine fully inhibits this synthesis de novo, but attempts to isolate formylglycine amide ribonucleotide from azaserine-blocked cells were unsuccessful.
Regulatory effects of fatty acyl-coenzyme A derivatives on phosphate-activated pig brain and kidney glutaminase in vitro
Authors: Kvamme E , Torgner I A
Published: August 2015

1. Fatty n-acyl-CoA derivatives in the concentration range 5 μM-0.1mM and with 5-18 fatty acyl carbons have dual effects on phosphate-activated glutaminase from pig brain and kidney. Generally, fatty acyl-CoA derivatives in low concentrations activate the enzyme, but inhibit at higher concentrations; phosphate and citrate potentiate the activation, displaying positive co-operatively, and protect against inactivation. The fatty acyl-CoA derivatives affect glutaminase similarly to Bromothymol Blue, but differently from acetyl-CoA, which activates the enzyme only at very low phosphate or citrate concentrations. 2. Saturated fatty acyl-CoA derivatives, with 5-10 fatty acyl carbons, only activate the enzyme in the concentration range 0-0.1 mM. When the fatty acyl chain is elongated, the fatty acyl-CoA derivatives gradually become more powerful inhibitors of glutaminase at the expense of their activating capacity. In particular, palmitoyl-CoA and stearoyl-CoA are strong inhibitors at concentrations (10 μM) at which the corresponding free fatty acids and fatty acyl-carnitine derivatives have no effect. 3. The unsaturated fatty acyl-CoA derivatives, oleoyl-CoA and linoleoyl-CoA, behave as potent activators in the lower part of the concentration range tested (0-0.05mM), and as inhibitors in the upper part of this range (0.02-0.10mM). Oleic acid and linoleic acid have similar properties, but their activating capacity is less pronounced. 4. Phosphate both prevented and reversed the inhibition, but no restoration of activity was possible once the enzyme became inactivated. 5. By changing the pH from 7.0 to 8.0 the activating capacity of the fatty acyl-CoA derivatives is increased, as is their concentration range for activation. 6. The fatty acyl-CoA derivatives are somewhat more potent activator for brain glutaminase, but otherwise they affect the two enzymes similarly.
The use of the direct linear plot for determining initial velocities
Authors: Cornish-Bowden A
Published: August 2015

A new method is described for estimating initial velocities of enzyme-catalysed reactions. It is simple to apply either graphically or numerically, and is particularly appropriate for experiments in which the initial straight part of the progress curve is very short or non-existent. It requires no more knowledge than is readily available about the details of the system, such as the extent of reaction at equilibrium, the rate of enzyme inactivation, the nature of product inhibition etc., unlike some other methods of analysing progress curves, which are often invalidated by small errors in the defining assumptions.
X-ray photoelectron spectra of iron-sulphur proteins
Authors: Andrews P T , Johnson C E , Wallbank B , Cammack R , Hall D O , Rao K K
Published: August 2015

The X-ray photoelectron spectra of the 2p, 3s and 3p levels of iron in oxidized Clostridium pasteurianum ferredoxin indicate that the eight iron atoms in the molecule are indistinguishable. Their magnetic state is indicated both by core polarization splitting of the 3s electrons, and by ‘shake-up’ satellites on the 2p lines. Similar satellites are observed in the 2p lines of reduced Chromatium high-potential iron-sulphur proteins and oxidized spinach ferredoxin, indicating that there too the iron atoms are magnetic. The low observed magnetic susceptibility of these proteins is therefore due to spin-coupling between the iron atoms in the active centre.
The pH-dependence and group modification of β-lactamase I
Authors: Waley S G
Published: August 2015

The pH-dependence of the kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of the β-lactam ring by β-lactamase I (penicillinase, EC 3.5.2.6) was studied. Benzylpenicillin and ampicillin (6-[D(-)-α-aminophenylacetamido]penicillanic acid) were used. Both kcat. and kcat./Km for both substrates gave bell-shaped plots of parameter versus pH. The pH-dependence of kcat./Km for the two substrates gave the same value (8.6) for the higher apparent pK, and so this value may characterize a group on the free enzyme; the lower apparent pK values were about 5(4.85 for benzylpenicillin, 5.4 for ampicillin). For benzylpenicillin both kcat. and kcat./Km depended on pH in exactly the same way. The value of Km for benzylpenicillin was thus independent of pH, suggesting that ionization of the enzyme's catalytically important groups does not affect binding of this substrate. The pH-dependence of kcat. for ampicillin differed, however, presumably because of the polar group in the side chain. The hypothesis that the pK5 group is a carboxyl group was tested. Three reagents that normally react preferentially with carboxyl groups inactivated the enzyme: the reagents were Woodward's reagent K, a water-soluble carbodi-imide, and triethyloxonium fluoroborate. These findings tend to support the idea that a carboxylate group plays a part in the action of β-lactamase I.
The role of intermediates in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation
Authors: Stanley K K , Tubbs P K
Published: August 2015

1. Rat liver mitochondria oxidizing [16-14C]palmitoylcarnitine accumulate saturated long-chain thiester intermediates which may be detected by radio-g.1.c.2. Time-courses of intermediate accumulation display no product-precursor relationships and the end product, measured as [14C]citrate, is produced without a detectable initial lag. 3. A short pulse of [16-14C]palmitoylcarnitine followed by unlabelled palmitoylcarnitine showed that the observed intermediates(at least in the greater part)were not the direct precursors of [14C]citrate. 4. The quantity of saturated intermediates depended on the total accumulated flux of acyl units through the pathway provided that some mitochondrial CoA and unused substrate remained. 5. In the presence of rotenone and carnitine, 2-unsaturated, 3-unsaturated and 3-hydroxy intermediates were formed as well as saturated intermediates…
Conversion of [U-14C]threonine into 14C-labelled amino acids in the brain of thiamin-deficient rats
Authors: Gaitonde M K
Published: August 2015

In confirmation of the findings of Gaitonde et al. (1974), a decrease in the brain concentration of threonine and serine, and an increase in glycine, were observed in rats maintained on a thiamin-deficient diet. Similar changes were found in the blood, and the concentration of several other amino acids in the blood decreased significantly. There was a correlation between the concentrations of threonine, serine, aspartate and asparagine in the brain and blood. In experiments in which [U-14C]threonine was injected into rats most of the radioactivity in the brain and blood of control rats was, as expected, in threonine in the acid soluble metabolites. In contrast, a considerable proportion of radioactivity was also found in other amino acids, namely glutamate, glutamine, aspartate, γ-aminobutyrate and alanine, in the brain of thiamin-deficient rats. [U-14C]Threonine was also converted into 14C-labelled lactate and glucose, but the extent of this conversion was severalfold higher in thiamin-deficient than in control rats. This finding gave evidence of the stimulation in thiamin-deficient rats of the catabolism of [U-14C]threonine to [14C]lactate by the aminoacetone pathway catalysed by threonine dehydrogenase, and into succinate via propionate by the α-oxobutyrate pathway catalysed by threonine dehydratase (deaminase). The measurement of specific radioactivities of glutamate, aspartate and glutamine after injection of [U-14C]threonine, indicated a stimulation of the activities of threonine dehydrogenase and threonine dehydratase (deaminase) in the brain of thiamin-deficient rats. The specific radioactivities of glutamate, asparatate and glutamine int he brain were consistent with an alteration in the metabolism of threonine, mainly in the ‘large’ compartment of the brain of thiamin-deficient rats. The measurement of relative specific radioactivity of proteins after injection of [U-14C]threonine indicated a marked decrease in the synthesis of proteins, mainly in the liver of thiamin-deficient rats.
2,3-Oxidosqualene cyclase and cycloartenol-s-adenosylmethionine methyltransferase activities in vivo in the cotyledon and axis tissues of germinating pea seeds
Authors: Fang T Y , Baisted D J
Published: August 2015

Axis tissues, root and shoot, of germinating pea seedlings actively synthesize sterol from [2-14C]mevalonate during the first 3 days of germination. In addition to the intermediates of sterol synthesis, cycloartenol and 24-methylenecycloartanol, these tissues also form the triterpene β-amyrin. The cyclase catalysing the formation of cycloartenol from oxidosqualene is about four times as active as that for β-amyrin synthesis. 2. Sterol synthesis in the cotyledon is negligible, but cycloartenol and 24-methylenecycloartanol, as well as β-amyrin, are synthesized there. Oxidosqualene cyclase activity in this tissue is 2.6 times as active for β-amyrin synthesis as for cycloartenol synthesis. 3. Comparison of the relative amounts of 14C in cycloartenol and 24-methylenecycloartanol in the axis tissues and cotyledons of 3-day-old seedlings point to relatively active cycloartenol-S-adenosylmethionine methyltransferase systems in both axis tissues and a poorly active system in the cotyledon. 4. The role of β-amyrin synthesis in the germinating pea seedling is discussed.
The maturation of the inner membrane of foetal rat liver mitochondria. An example of a positive-feedback mechanism
Authors: Pollak J K
Published: August 2015

A new method was devised for the isolation of foetal and neonatal rat lvier mitochondria, giving higher yields than conventional methods. 2. During development from the perinatal period to the mature adult, the ratio of cytochrome oxidase/succinate-cytochrome c reductase changes. 3. The inner mitochondrial membrane of foetal liver mitochondria possesses virtually no osmotic activity; the permeability to sucrose decreases with increasing developmental age. 4. Foetal rat liver mitochondria possess only marginal respiratory control and do not maintain Ca2+-induced respiration; they also swell in respiratory-control medium in the absence of substrate. ATP enhances respiratory control and prevents swelling, adenylyl imidodiphosphate, ATP+atractyloside enhance the R.C.I. (respiratory control index), Ca2+-induced respiratory control and prevent swelling, whereas GTP and low concentrations of ADP have none of these actions. It is concluded that the effect of ATP depends on steric interaction with the inner mitochondrial membrane. 5. When 1-day pre-partum foetuses are obtained by Caesarean section and maintained in a Humidicrib for 90 min, mitochondrial maturation is ‘triggered’, so that their R.C.I. is enhanced and no ATP is required to support Ca2+-dependent respiratory control or to inhibit mitochondrial swelling. 6. It is concluded that foetal rat liver mitochondria in utero do not respire, although they are capable of oxidative phosphorylation in spite of their low R.C.I. The different environmental conditions which the neonatal rat encounters ex utero enable the hepatic mitochondria to produce ATP, which interacts with the inner mitochondrial membrane to enhance oxidative phosphorylation by an autocatalytic mechanism.
Conversion of thyroxine into tri-iodothyronine by rat liver homogenate
Authors: Visser Theo J , Van Der Does-Tobé Ineke , Docter Roel , Hennemann Georg
Published: August 2015

By using a highly specific radioimmunoassay the formation of tri-iodothyronine by the deiodination of thyroxine was studied in rat liver homogenate. Several observations suggest that the reaction observed is enzymic in nature. Pre-heating the homogenate for 30 min at 56 degrees C completely abolished conversion of thyroxine into tri-iodothyronine; the component of rat liver homogenate responsible could be saturated with substrate; iodotyrosines displayed competitive activity. Between 0 degrees and 37 degrees C, the tri-iodothyronine-production rate was positively correlated with incubation temperature. The addition of NAD+ enhanced conversion into tri-iodothyronine, which suggests that an oxidative mechanism is involved. 5-Propyl-2-thiouracil and 6-propyl-2-thiouracil, both known to prevent deiodination in vivo, greatly decreased the deiodiantion activity of rat liver homogenate.
The effect of disulfiram on the aldehyde dehydrogenases of sheep liver
Authors: Kitson T M
Published: August 2015

1. The effect of disulfiram on the activity of the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenases of sheep liver was studied. 2. Disulfiram causes an immediate inhibition of the enzyme reaction. The effect on the cytoplasmic enzyme is much greater than on the mitochondrial enzyme. 3. In both cases, the initial partial inhibition is followed by a gradual irreversible loss of activity. 4. The pH-rate profile of the inactivation of the mitochondrial enzyme by disulfiram and the pH-dependence of the maximum velocity of the enzyme-catalysed reaction are both consistent with the involvement of a thiol group. 5. Excess of 2-mercaptoethanol or GSH abolishes the effect of disulfiram. However, equimolar amounts of either of these reagents and disulfiram cause an effect greater than does disulfiram alone. It was shown that the mixed disulphide, Et2N-CS-SS-CH2-CH2OH, strongly inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase. 6. The inhibitory effect of diethyldithiocarbamate in vitro is due mainly to contamination by disulfiram.
Stimulation of rat liver β-galactosidase activity by ions
Authors: Baccino F M , Zuretti M F , Pernigotti L
Published: August 2015

1. The p-nitrophenyl β-D-galactosidase asctivity in rat liver homogenates of lysosome-rich fractions was shown to be markedly affected by the ionic composition of the medium. A stimulation of the reaction rate at pH 5 was produced by most of the salts tested, which contained anions such as acetate, SO42− and Cl−, and cations such as Na+, K+ and Mg2+. The most pronounced effect was observed with MgCl2. Only potassium glutamate was inhibitory. 2. Five peaks of β-galactosidase activity obtained by DEAE-cellulose chromatography were equally sensitive to changes in the ionic composition of the medium. In the presence of added NaC1, the whole rate-pH curve was displaced towards higher pH values, the optimum being shifted from 2.0-2.5 to 3.5. The stimulation at pH 5.0 appeared to be mainly due to changes in Vmax., whereas the apparent Km was slightly modified. 3. Unlike the total, the free β-galactosidase activity remained unchanged or even declined when KC1 was added to the reaction medium.
The distribution of different molecular species of collagen in fibrous, elastic and hyaline cartilages of the pig
Authors: Eyre D R , Muir H
Published: August 2015

The distribution of type II collagen, considered to be characteristic of cartilaginous tissues, was determined in various specialized cartilages of the mature pig. The tissues examined were: (1) fibrocartilage of the semilunar meniscus of the knee; (2) elastic cartilage of the external ear; (3) hyaline cartilage of (a) the synovial joint (b) the thyroid plate of the larynx, and (c) the nasal septum. The predominant species of collagen in each tissue, whether type I or type II, was appraised semi-quantitatively by analysis of purified collagen solubilized by pepsin and of peptide fragments produced by cyanogen bromide. Cyanogen bromide-derived peptides were characterized by column chromatography on CM-cellulose and by electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gels. The proportion of each type of collagen was determined precisely by isolating the homologous small peptides α1(II)CB6 [nomenclature of Miller (1973) Clin. Orthop. 92, 260-280], by column chromatography on phosphocellulose and determining their relative proportions by amino acid analysis. Thus collagen of the fibrocartilage of the meniscus proved to be all type I; type II was not detected. In contrast, collagen of elastic cartilage of the outer ear, after rigorous exclusion of perichondrium, was type II. Similarly, type II was the only collagen detected in all the mature hyalline cartilages examined.
Isolation and properties of a fragment of human serum albumin demonstrating the absence of a methionine residue from some of the albumin molecules
Authors: Lapresle C , Doyen N
Published: August 2015

1. A fragment designated D was isolated from human serum albumin degraded by CNBr. Its properties show that it is made up of the B and C fragments isolated by McMenamy et al. (1971) (J. Biol. Chem., 246, 4744-4750). 2. Reduction of fragment D gives rise to two chains, one of which consists of the second subfragment of reduced fragment B linked to fragment C by an amino acid different from methionine. It thus demonstrates the existence of albumin molecules from which the second methionine residue located between fragments B and C is missing.
The contents of adenine nucleotides, phosphagens and some glycolytic intermediates in resting muscles from vertebrates and invertebrates
Authors: Beis I , Newsholme E A
Published: August 2015

1. The lowest contents of ATP and the lowest ATP/AMP concentration ratios are observed in the molluscan muscles that have very low rates of energy expenditure during contraction. The highest contents of ATP are observed in the extremely aerobic insect flight muscle and the extremely anaerobic pectoral muscle of the pheasant and domestic fowl. In general, the lowest ATP/AMP concentration ratios are observed for muscle in which the variation in the rate of energy utilization is small (e.g. some molluscan muscles, heart muscle); the highest ratios are observed in muscles in which this variation is large (lobster abdominal muscle, pheasant pectoral muscle, some insect flight muscles). This finding is consistent with the proposed role of AMP and the adenylate kinase reaction in the regulation of glycolysis. However, in the flight muscle of the honey-bee the ATP/AMP ratio is very low, so that glycolysis may be regulated by factors other than the variation in AMP concentration. The variation in the contents of arginine phosphate in muscle from the invertebrates is much larger than the variation in creatine phosphate in muscle from the vertebrates. The contents of hexose monophosphates and pyruvate are, in general, higher in the muscles of vertebrates than in those of the invertebrates. The contents of phosphoenolpyruvate are similar in all the muscles investigated, except for the honey-bee in which it is about 4-10-fold higher. The mass-action ratios for the reactions catalysed by phosphoglucoisomerase and adenylate kinase are very similar to the equilibrium constants for these reactions. Further, the variation in the mass-action ratios between muscles is small. It is concluded that these enzymes catalyse reactions close to equilibrium. However, the mass-action ratios for the reactions catalysed by phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase are much smaller than the equilibrium constants. The variation in the ratios between different muscles is large. It is concluded that these enzymes catalyse nonequilibrium reactions. Since the variation in the mass-action ratios for the reactions catalysed by the phosphagen kinases (i.e. creatine and arginine phosphokinases) is small, it is suggested that these reactions are close to equilibrium.
Gluconeogenesis by isolated guinea-pig liver parenchymal cells
Authors: Arinze Ifeanyi J. , Rowley Diane L.
Published: August 2015

1. Guinea-pig hepatocytes were prepared by collagenase digestion of the perfused liver. 2. The highest rates of gluconeogenesis were obtained from fructose, followed by pyruvate, xylitol and lactate, glycerol and propionate in that order. Maximum rates of gluconeogenesis were attained at 6–10mm substrate. 3. An initial 15-min lag period occurred during gluconeogenesis from lactate. This lag was abolished by preincubating the cells or by preincubation plus the addition of NH4Cl or lysine. 4. The lactate/pyruvate and 3-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate ratios were increased during the lag and adjusted to values favouring rapid gluconeogenesis from lactate after 15min. 5. The data suggest that the low glucose synthesis during the lag resulted from a limitation of the glutamate–aspartate shuttle and from the unusual redox state of the NAD+ couple prevailing during this period. 6. At 0.1mm, amino-oxyacetate, a transaminase inhibitor, decreased gluconeogenesis from lactate by 80%, but had a negligible effect on glucose production from pyruvate. Gluconeogenesis from lactate was also inhibited (20%) by 10mm-dl-3-hydroxybutyrate.
The release of 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate from the isolated perfused rat heart
Authors: O'Brien John A. , Strange Richard C.
Published: August 2015

Although basal release of cyclic AMP from isolated perfused rat hearts was not measurable, isoprenaline induced substantial release of the nucleotide, suggesting that in vivo the myocardium can contribute to plasma cyclic AMP. Anoxia also increased the amount of cyclic AMP released, but insulin and nicotinate alone or in combination had no effect.
Effect of adenosine on the adenine nucleotide content and metabolism of hepatocytes
Authors: Lund P , Cornell N W , Krebs H A
Published: August 2015

ADENOSINE (0.5 MM) added to hepatocyte suspensions increased the intracellular concentration of ATP and total adenine nucleotides within 60 min up to three-fold. 2. Adenosine at 0.5 mM inhibited gluconeogenesis from lactate by about 50%. At higher adenosine concentrations the inhibition was less. There was no strict parallelism between the time-course of the increase of the adenine nucleotide content and the time-course of the inhibition of gluconeogenesis from lactate. 3. Adenosine abolished the accelerating effects of oleate and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on gluconeogenesis from lactate. 4. Gluconeogenesis was no significant effect of adenosine with fructose, dihydroxyacetone or glycerol. With asparagine, adenosine caused anacceleration of glucose formation. 5. Adenosine incorporation into adenine nucleotides accounted for about 20% of the adenosine removal. 6. Inosine, hypoxanthine or adenine compared with adenosine gave relatively slight increases of adenine nucleotides. 7. Urea synthesis from NH4Cl under optimum conditions i.e. in the presence of ornithine, lactate and oleate, was also inhibited by adenosine. The inhibition increased with the adenosine concentration and was 65% at 4 mM-adenosine. Again there was no correlation between the degree of inhibition of urea synthesis and the increase in the adenine nucleotide content. 8. The basal O2 consumption, the increased O2 consumption on the addition of oleate and the rate of formation of ketone bodies were not affected by the addition of adenosine. The [β-hydroxybutyrate]/[acetoacetate] ratio was increased by adenosine, provided that lactate was present. 9. The increase of the adenine nucleotide content of the hepatocytes on the addition of adenosine may be explained on the assumption that adenosine kinase is not regulated by feedback but by substrate supply.
Role of cytosolic rat liver aldehyde dehydrogenase in the oxidation of acetaldehyde during ethanol metabolism in vivo
Authors: Eriksson C J , Marselos M , Koivula T
Published: August 2015

The activity of a high-Km aldehyde dehydrogenase in the liver cytosol was increased by phenobarbital induction. No corresponding increase in the oxidation rate of acetaldehyde in vivo was found, and it is concluded that cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase plays only a minor role in the oxidation of acetaldehyde during ethanol metabolism.
Adsorption of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase on condensed monolayers of phospholipid
Authors: Wooster M S , Wrigglesworth J M
Published: August 2015

The adsorption of [14C] alkylated glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase from rabbit muscle to condensed monolayers of phosphatidic acid was investigated under a variety of conditions. 2. The rate constant for association at 20 degrees C depended on ionic strength. At I/2=60mM the rate constant was 0.39min-1. At I/2=260mM it decreased to 0.27min-1. 3. The apparent association constant (Kass.) for adsorption at I/2=60mM was 1.06 × 10(6)M-1 and was strongly influenced by subphase changes in pH and ionic strength. Measurements of Kass. at 20 degrees and 5 degrees C gave a value for the apparent enthalpy change on adsorption of −33kJ-mol-1. Calculations of the apparent change in free energy and apparent entropy change for the adsorption process gave values of −34kJ-mol-1 and +2J-K-1-mol-1 respectively. 4. Decreasing the amount of phosphatidic acid in the monolayer by replacement with phosphatidylcholine caused the shape of the adsorption isotherm to change from apparent hyperbolic to sigmoid. Subphase changes in pH or ionic strength did not affect the shape of the adsorption isotherm. However, adsorption of enzyme on monolayers of 100% phosphatidic acid in the presence of 1mM-CaCl2 was sigmoid in nature. 5. It is concluded that glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase binds to condensed charged monolayers by multiple electrostatic interactions. At low concentrations of phosphatidic acid in the monolayer or in the presence of Ca2+, this occurs in a two-step process and depends on lateral diffusion of phosphatidic acid for strong binding to take place.
High-angle electron diffraction of frozen hydrated collagen
Authors: Chanzy H , Franc J M , Herbage D
Published: August 2015

By using the techniques developed by Taylor et al. [(1975) J. Mol. Biol. 92, 165-167] (freezing of the hydrated specimen before its insertion into the electron microscope and keeping it frozen throughout the diffraction experiment), it was possible to obtain a high-angle electron-diffraction pattern from collagen fibrils. This pattern is in good agreement with that obtained by high-angle X-ray diffraction. Electron diffraction will be very useful to study collagen, because the diffraction pattern from a carefully selected area of one fibril is now feasible.
The nucleotide sequence of cysteine transfer ribonucleic acid from baker's yeast. Products of complete digestion with pancreatic ribonuclease and ribonuclease T1
Authors: Holness N J , Atfield G
Published: August 2015

1. The nucleotide chain of tRNA Cys from baker's yeast was readily split at the anticolon into two large fragments by brief treatment with ribonuclease T1.2. The whole molecule and the two derived large fragments were completely digested with (a) pancreatic ribonuclease and (b) ribonuclease T1. The fragments present in each of the digests were separated and sequenced by conventional methods. 3. The groups of fragments derived from the two methods of digestion were entirely compatible with each other. 4. The molecule is 75 nucleotides long, but, as isolated, lacks the terminal adenosine and the neighboring cytidylic acid residue. The minor nucleotides 1-methyladenylic acid, 7-methylguanylic acid, 5-methylcytidylic acid and N6 (γγ-dimethylallyl)adenylic acid (isopentenyladenylic acid) were identified.
The heterogeneity of arginases in rat tissues
Authors: Herzfeld A , Raper S M
Published: August 2015

Arginase reactions in rat tissues were shown to be catalysed by three isoenzymes which can be separated by bidirectional electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels. Anodic electrophoresis reveals a migrating band (isoenzyme I) present in all-non-hepatic tissues except submaxillary gland and a non-migrating band found in all tissues. The latter is resolved by cathodic electrophoresis into isoenzymes III (characteristic of liver and submaxillary gland) and a non-moving band (isoenzyme II), present in kidney, intestine and pancreas. Sequential electrophoresis, in the two directions, of mixture of liver and kidney extracts in the same gel columns separated all three isoenzymes. Differences in the solubilization properties, heat-sensitivity and substrate specificity of arginases from different tissues could be correlated with their electrophoretic behaviour. L-Canavanine could replace arginine as substrate in extracts of kidney but not of liver. Both kidney isoenzymes hydrolysed L-canavanine equally well, whereas isoenzyme III from submaxillary gland showed only very low activity. Antiserum against liver arginase interacted with the enzyme with submaxillary gland, but did not inactivate or adsorb arginase from kidney, intestine or pancreas. The distribution of arginase among 16 normal adult rat tissues is presented; the improved, sensitive, assay method was applicable to tissues containing as little as 0.1% of the hepatic activity.
The purification and properties of the glutamine synthetase from the cytosol of Soya-bean root nodules
Authors: McParland R H , Guevara J G , Becker R R , Evans H J
Published: August 2015

The major portion of glutamine synthetase activity in root nodules of soya-bean plants is associated with the cytosol rather than with Rhizobium japonicum bacteroids. Glutamine synthetase accounts for about 2% of the total soluble protein in nodule cytosol. Glutamine synthetase from nodule cytosol has been purified by a procedure involving fractionation with protamine sulphate, ammonium sulphate and polypropylene glycol, chromatography on DEAE-Bio-Gel A and Bio-Gel A-5m and affinity chromatography on glutamate-agarose columns. The purified preparation appeared to be homogeneous in the analytical ultracentrifuge. From sedimentation-equilibrium experiments a mol. wt. of about 376000 was determined for the native enzyme and 47300 for the enzyme in guanidinium chloride. From these data and measurements of electron micrographs, we have concluded that glutamine synthetase from nodule cytosol consists of eight subunits arranged in two sets of planar tetramers which form a cubical configuration with dimensions of about 10 nm (100 A) across each side. Glutamine synthetase from nodule cytosol has a higher glycine and proline content and a lower content of phenylalanine than the glutamine synthetase that has been prepared from pea seed. The cytosol enzyme contains four half-cystine molecules per subunit, which is in contrast with two reported for the enzyme from pea seed. Enzyme activity is striking influenced by the relative proportion of Mg2+ and Mn2+ in the assay medium. Activity is inhibited by feedback inhibitors and is influenced by energy charge.
Enzymic formation of Glycerol 1:2-cyclic phosphate
Authors: Clarke N , Dawson R M C
Published: August 2015

Glycerol 1:2-cyclic phosphate is released simultaneously with glycerophosphate when kidney glycerophosphinicocholine diesterase (EC 3.1.4.2) acts on glycerylphosphorylcholine and glycerylphosphorylethanolamine. The percentage of cyclic phosphate ester formed is increased at pH values below the optimum and is decreased when Mg2+ or Ca2+ is added to stimulate the reaction.
Variants of hamster fibroblasts resistant to Ricinus communis toxin (ricin)
Authors: Meager A , Ungkitchanukit A , Hughes R C
Published: August 2015

1. Variant baby-hamster kidney (BHK) cell lines were isolated that grow in the presence of high concentrations of ricin, the toxic lectin of castor beans (Ricinus communis). The variant lines were independently derived from several cultures of normal BHK cells which had been exposed to the mutagen, methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, before selection by ricin. 2. The cell lines maintain a high degree of resistance to ricin after growth in lectin-free medium for prolonged periods and therefore exhibit stable phenotypes that are different from normal BHK cells. 3. A preliminary classification of the phenotypes was made. Several cell lines bind normal amounts of 125I-labelled ricin, whereas other bind the lectin poorly. 4. A loss of surface receptors for two other lectins, R. communis RCA and Axinella polyploides, which have specificities similar to ricin, was also found in some but not all of the cell lines showing decreased surface concentrations of ricin receptors. 5. The binding to the ricin-resistant cells of lectins of different sugar specificity, namely Lens culinaris lectin and concanavalin A, was similar to, or higher than, to normal BHK cells. 6. Several of the ricin-resistant cell lines were shown to be cross-resistant to the weak cytotoxicity of Phaseolus vulgaris lectin. By contrast, some cell lines were more sensitive to concanavalin A than were normal BHK cells.
Studies on the catabolism of NG-methylarginine, NG, NG-dimethylarginine and NG, NG-dimethylarginine in the rabbit
Authors: McDermott J R
Published: August 2015

1. The routes of elimination of Ng-methylarginine, Ng, Ng-dimethylarginine and Ng, Ng-dimethylarginine were investigated in the rabbit. 2. Analyses showed low plasma concentrations of these amino acids (around 1 nmol/ml) and ratios similar to those found in tissue proteins. The concentrations of these amino acids in extracts of brain, kidney, liver and spleen were similar except that liver had a lower concentration of Ng-methylarginine and Ng, Ng-dimethylarginine. Cerebrospinal fluid contained traces of each amino acid.
The topographical location and unique nature of a glucokinase associated with the Golgi apparatus of rat liver
Authors: Berthillier G , Coleman R , Walker D G
Published: August 2015

A particulate glucokinase was recovered in the Golgi-rich fraction of rat liver prepared by the method of Morré [Methods Enzymol. (1971) 22, 130-148], thus extending the demonstration by Berthillier et al. [Biochim. Biophys. Acta (1973), 293, 370-378] of particulate glucokinase activity in a microsomal subfraction that showed enrichment in Golgi characteristics. The purity of this fraction was examined and it was then subjected to several treatments, the action of Triton X-100, freezing and thawing, and sonication to establish the topographical location of the glucokinase activity thus solubilized. The evidence suggests that the glucokinase activity is either soluble in the lumen of the Golgi apparatus or loosely associated with the inside of the Golgi membranes.
Effects of ketone bodies on amino acid metabolism in isolated rat diaphragm
Authors: Palaiologos G , Felig P
Published: August 2015

1. Diaphragms from 48h-starved rats were incubated in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate medium at 37degreesC for 30min and then transferred into new medium and incubated for 1, 2 and 3 h. 2. The amount of free amino acids found at the end of each time of incubation was larger than the amount at the beginning of incubation, indicating that in this system proteolysis is prevailing. 3. The diaphragms was releasing mainly alanine and glutamine into the incubation medium. 4. Within the periods of incubation the release and metabolism of free amino acids was proceeding at a constant rate. 5. Addition of sodium DL-3-hydroxybutyrate decreased the tissue content of several amino acids, among which were tyrosine and phenylalanine, suggesting that proteolysis was decreased by ketone bodies. 6. In the presence of glucose (10mM) and branched-chain amino acids (0.5mM), sodium DL-3-hydroxybutyrate at concentrations of 4 or 6 mM resulted in 30% decrease in tissue alanine content and a 20% decline in alanine release. Release of taurine and glutamine was decreased by 19 and 16% respectively with 6 mM-sodium DL-3-hydroxybutyrate. Addition of sodium acetoacetate (1-3mM) also resulted in a 20-35% decrease in tissue content of alanine, glutamine and taurine and in a 15-24% decrease of alanine and glutamine release. Smaller decreases (less than 15%) in the release of glycine, threonine, proline, serine and aspartate were also observed in the presence of sodium DL-3-hydroxybutyrate or sodium acetoacetate. 7. Substitution of pyruvate (1.0mM) for glucose in the presence of acetoacetate restored alanine and glutamine production to control values. In the presence of acetoacetate, pyruvate also increased the tissue content of aspartate by 77% and decreased the tissue content of glutamate by 30%. 8. It is suggested that in diaphragms from starved rats, ketone bodies (a) in the absence of other substrates inhibit protein catabolism and (b) in the presence of glucose and branched-chain amino acids decrease alanine and glutamine production, by inhibiting glycolysis.
Binding of Concanavalin A and its effect on the differentiation of Dictyostelium Discoideum
Authors: Darmon M , Klein C
Published: August 2015

Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae have two classes of binding sites for concanavalin A, one accessible to a competitive inhibitor of concanavalin A binding and one inaccessible. Uptake of concanavalin A occurs and is associated with a transfer from accessible to inaccessible binding sites. Low amounts of concanavalin A bound to cells produce a slight stimulation of differentiation, and this is associated with an increase in production of phosphodiesterase. Above a critical amount of concanavalin A bound, cell differentiation and phosphodiesterase production are inhibited. The relationship of concanavalin A-induced membrane changes to cell differentation is discussed.