bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The amino acid sequence around the active-site cysteine and histidine residues, and the buried cysteine residues in ficin
Authors: Husain S. S. , Lowe G.
Published: August 2015

Ficin that had been prepared from the latex of Ficus glabrata by salt fractionation and chromatography on carboxymethylcellulose was completely and irreversibly inhibited with 1,3-dibromo[2-14C]acetone and then treated with N-(4-dimethylamino-3,5-dinitrophenyl)maleimide in 6m-guanidinium chloride. After reduction and carboxymethylation of the labelled protein, it was digested with trypsin and α-chymotrypsin. Two radioactive peptides and two coloured peptides were isolated chromatographically and their sequences determined. The radioactive peptides revealed the amino acid sequences around the active-site cysteine and histidine residues and showed a high degree of homology with the omino acid sequence around the active-site cysteine and histidine residues in papain. The coloured peptides allowed the amino acid sequence around the buried cysteine residue in ficin to be determined.
Studies on the competence-inducing factor of Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Akrigg A. , Ayad S. R.
Published: August 2015

1. Aqueous extracts of competent cells of Bacillus subtilis 168I− were shown to contain a competence-inducing factor. The aqueous extracts were fractionated on DEAE-cellulose columns. 2. Those fractions from DEAE-cellulose columns containing the competence-inducing factor were shown to exhibit a powerful lytic effect on isolated cell walls of B. subtilis 168I−. Little or no lytic activity was exhibited by the other fractions. 3. The kinetics of the lytic enzyme were investigated and found to be first-order. Treatment of cell wall lysates with 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene suggested that the enzyme may be identical with N-acetylmuramyl-l-alanine amidase. The amino acid composition of the partially purified enzyme was determined. 4. It is suggested that competence-induction may be dependent on the limited action of the autolytic amidase.
The cell wall of Bacillus licheniformis N.C.T.C. 6346. Linkage between the teichuronic acid and mucopeptide components
Authors: Hughes R. C.
Published: August 2015

1. After extraction of teichoic acid from cell walls of Bacillus licheniformis with dilute alkali, the insoluble residue contains the teichuronic acid and mucopeptide components and a small amount of residual phosphorus. 2. A complex of teichuronic acid and a part of the mucopeptide was isolated from the soluble fraction obtained by lysozyme treatment of alkali extracted walls. 3. Small-molecular-weight mucopeptide fragments, not containing teichuronic acid, are obtained from the soluble fraction in yields similar to those obtained after treatment of whole walls or acid-extracted walls with lysozyme. 4. The covalent linkages between teichuronic acid and mucopeptide are broken by treatment with dilute acid. The release of teichuronic acid chains is accompanied by the hydrolysis of N-acetylgalactosaminide linkages and the exposed N-acetylgalactosamine residues form chromogen under very mild conditions, indicating that they are substituted on C-3. 5. The initial rate of formation of reactive N-acetylgalactosamine residues during mild acid hydrolysis is parallel to the rate of extraction under the same conditions of teichuronic acid from alkali-treated insoluble walls, and to the rate of acid hydrolysis of glucose 1-phosphate. 6. The results suggest that the teichuronic acid chains are attached through reducing terminals of N-acetylgalactosamine residues to phosphate groups in the mucopeptide. 7. Muramic acid phosphate was isolated from the insoluble mucopeptide remaining after extraction of walls with dilute alkali followed by dilute acid.
Factors affecting the permeability of isolated fat-cells from the rat to [42K]potassium and [36Cl]chloride ions
Authors: Perry M. C. , Hales C. N.
Published: August 2015

1. The effluxes of 42K+ and 36Cl− from isolated fat-cells from the rat were studied under a variety of conditions known to affect the metabolism of the cells. 2. 42K+ efflux from isolated fat cells was increased in a Na+-free–high-K+ medium and decreased in a K+-free medium. The existence of K+ exchange diffusion across the fat-cell membrane is suggested. 3. 36Cl− efflux from isolated fat-cells was decreased when the Cl− component of the wash medium was replaced by acetate. The basal 36Cl− efflux is suggested to be partly by Cl− exchange diffusion and partly in company with a univalent cation. 4. A variety of lipolytic stimuli, adrenaline, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, N-6,O-2′-dibutyryladenosine cyclic 3′:5′-monophosphate and theophylline, increased 42K+ efflux from isolated fat-cells. The adrenaline stimulation was biphasic; an initial, rapid and transient increase in 42K+ loss from the fat-cells was followed by a slower, more prolonged, increase in 42K+ efflux. The initial phase was inhibited by phentolamine but not by propranolol. 5. Insulin increased 42K+ efflux only after preincubation with the cells.
The antibacterial action of lactoperidoxase. The nature of the bacterial inhibitor
Authors: McC. Hogg D. , Jago G. R.
Published: August 2015

Lactoperoxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), an enzyme present in various mammalian glands and in their secretions, catalyses the oxidation of thiocyanate by hydrogen peroxide to form a compound that inhibits the growth, oxygen uptake and acid production of certain bacteria. This compound was found to be too unstable to isolate in pure form, but its properties in dilute aqueous solution were studied with a view to establishing its identity. At thiocyanate concentrations of approximately 1mm, formation of the inhibitor, which took place by a nonstoicheiometric reaction, was maximal when an approximately equimolar amount of hydrogen peroxide was added. Excess of hydrogen peroxide oxidized the inhibitor to sulphate and cyanate. The inhibitor displayed a polarographic reduction wave of which the half-wave potential was pH-dependent. Studies of the variation of the polarographic half-wave potential and of the u.v. extinction with pH indicated that the inhibitor existed in an acid–base equilibrium (pKa 5.1±0.1). The inhibitor decomposed by a mechanism involving H+ ions and thiocyanate, the kinetics varying according to whether the inhibitor was in its acidic or basic form. From these studies it was concluded that the inhibitor was either cyanosulphurous acid (HO2SCN) or cyanosulphuric acid (HO3SCN).
Binding and translation of turnip-yellow-mosaic-virus ribonucleic acid by skeletal-muscle ribosomes from normal and diabetic rats
Authors: Rolleston F. S. , Wool I. G. , Martin T. E.
Published: August 2015

Ribosomes from skeletal muscle of diabetic rats were less active than normal ribosomes in protein synthesis directed by turnip-yellow-mosaic-virus RNA. The proportion of ribosomes from muscle of diabetic rats capable of binding turnip-yellow-mosaic-virus RNA was greater than normal, but there was no difference in the equilibrium constants for the binding reaction. The turnip-yellow-mosaic-virus RNA was bound preferentially to the small (40S) ribosomal subunit, whereas the decrease due to diabetes in its translation was associated with the large (60S) subunit. Thus the diminished capacity of ribosomes from muscle of diabetic rats to translate turnip-yellow-mosaic-virus RNA was not the result of decreased binding of the template.
The pathway of glycollate utilization in Chlorella pyrenoidosa
Authors: Lord J. M. , Merrett M. J.
Published: August 2015

1. Exogenous glycollate was rapidly metabolized in both the light and the dark by photoautotrophically grown Chlorella pyrenoidosa. 2. The incorporation of 14C from [1-14C]glycollate by these cells was inhibited by the tricarboxylic acid-cycle inhibitors monofluoroacetate, diethylmalonate and arsenite, and also by α-hydroxypyrid-2-ylmethanesulphonate and isonicotinylhydrazine. 3. Short-term kinetic experiments showed over 80% of the total 14C present in the soluble fraction from the cells to be in glycine and serine after 10s. This percentage decreased with time whereas the percentage radioactivity in glycerate increased for up to 30s then remained steady. The percentage of the total radioactivity present in citrate increased over the experimental period. Malate was the only other tricarboxylic acid-cycle intermediate to become labelled. 4. The kinetic and inhibitor experiments supported the following pathway of glycollate incorporation: glycollate → glyoxylate → glycine → serine → hydroxypyruvate → glycerate → 3-phosphoglycerate → 2-phosphoglycerate → phosphoenolpyruvate → pyruvate → acetyl-CoA. 5. The specific activities of the enzymes catalysing this metabolic sequence in cell-free extracts were great enough to account for the observed rate of glycollate metabolism of 0.25μmol/h per mg dry wt. of cells in the light.
Uptake of oestradiol by the rabbit hypothalamus. Specificity of binding by nuclei in vitro
Authors: Chader Gerald J. , Villee Claude A.
Published: August 2015

The binding of [6,7-3H]oestradiol-17β to subcellular fractions of the hypothalamus and the cerebellum of the rabbit was studied in vitro. Uptake of steroid was higher in hypothalamic nuclei than in cerebellar nuclei. Lower binding was observed in other fractions of both tissues. After dialysis of the fractions, hypothalamic nuclei retained a high percentage of oestradiol whereas cerebellar nuclei lost most of the bound steroid. Supernatant fractions of both tissues retained a significant proportion of label after dialysis and after gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. No specific binding was observed in these fractions when subjected to sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation. Purification of nuclei followed by incubation with labelled oestradiol in the absence of the supernatant fraction resulted in loss of binding of steroid by hypothalamic nuclei. Incubation of the purified hypothalamic nuclei with supernatant fraction maintained the binding specificity of hormone retention.
Acylation of lysolecithin in the intestinal mucosa of rats
Authors: Subbaiah P. V. , Sastry P. S. , Ganguly J.
Published: August 2015

1. The presence of an active acyl-CoA–lysolecithin (1-acylglycerophosphorylcholine) acyltransferase was demonstrated in rat intestinal mucosa. 2. ATP and CoA were necessary for the incorporation of free [1-14C]oleic acid into lecithin (phosphatidylcholine). 3. The reaction was about 20 times as fast with [1-14C]oleoyl-CoA as with free oleic acid, CoA and ATP. 4. With 1-acylglycerophosphorylcholine as the acceptor, both oleic acid and palmitic acid were incorporated into the β-position of lecithin; the incorporation of palmitic acid was 60% of that of oleic acid. 5. Of the various analogues of lysolecithin tested as acyl acceptors from [1-14C]oleoyl CoA, a lysolecithin with a long-chain fatty acid at the 1-position was most efficient. 6. The enzyme was mostly present in the brush-border-free particulate fraction of the intestinal mucosa. 7. Of the various tissues of rats tested for the activity, intestinal mucosa was found to be the most active, with testes, liver, kidneys and spleen following it in decreasing order.
The preparation of alcohol dehydrogenase and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase from baker's yeast
Authors: Butler P. J. G. , Jones G. M. Thelwall
Published: August 2015

A procedure has been developed for the preparation of alcohol dehydrogenase and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase from the same sample of baker's yeast. The two enzymes were obtained in good yield in a pure crystalline form. The method minimizes the work involved in preparing the two enzymes and would be of particular advantage for preparing the enzymes in radioactive form from yeast grown in a radioactive medium.
The susceptibility of N-acetyl-S-alkyl- and N-acetyl-S-aryl-cysteine ethyl esters to chymotryptic hydrolysis
Authors: Damoglou A. P. , Lindley H. , Stapleton I. W.
Published: August 2015

1. The preparation of the ethyl esters of some N-acetyl-S-alkyl- and N-acetyl-S-aryl-cysteine derivatives is described. 2. Kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of these esters by chymotrypsin are reported. 3. The results are discussed in terms of the mechanism of action of chymotrypsin and also with reference to the possible application to sequence studies of cysteine-containing proteins.
The use of protamine to study [6,7-3H]-oestradiol-17β binding in rat uterus
Authors: Steggles A. W. , King R. J. B.
Published: August 2015

1. The binding of [6,7-3H]oestradiol-17β to uteri has been studied by using sucrose-gradient analysis and also the property of oestradiol receptors to form insoluble complexes with protamine. 2. Protamine precipitates the 8S and part of the 4S oestradiol-binding proteins in uterine cytoplasm from mature rats. It does not precipitate the oestradiol-17β-binding proteins present in cytoplasm from non-target tissues or serum. No tritium-labelled material was precipitated by protamine after equilibration of [6,7-3H]oestradiol-17β with either serum albumin or phosvitin. 3. Protamine precipitated a small amount of progesterone but not testosterone or cortisol that had been equilibrated with uterine cytoplasm. It did not precipitate any tritium radioactivity from muscle cytoplasm that had been equilibrated with either [1,2-3H]testosterone sulphate or [1,2-3H]dehydroepiandrosterone. 4. A simple method has been devised for measuring binding constants of tissue extracts for [6,7-3H]oestradiol-17β, based on precipitation with protamine. Reasonable agreement was obtained between the values obtained by this method and those obtained by sucrose-gradient analysis. 5. This method has been used to study the effect of maturity, ovariectomy, adrenalectomy and hypophysectomy on the cytoplasmic binding of [6,7-3H]oestradiol-17β. None of these procedures affected the dissociation constant Kd or the number of binding sites/mg of cytoplasmic protein. When measured per uterus or per mg of DNA, ovariectomy and hypophysectomy decreased the number of binding sites. Adrenalectomy had no effect. 6. The properties of the 4S oestradiol-binding protein present in cytoplasm from mature uteri have been studied. It is not present in uteri from immature, ovariectomized, or hypophysectomized rats and it does not bind testosterone or cortisol. Unlabelled oestradiol-17β, U-11,100A, N-ethylmaleimide and N-bromosuccinimide all decrease the binding of [6,7-3H]oestradiol-17β to both 8S and 4S receptors. Binding to both 8S and 4S receptors decreases when oestradiol is transported to the nucleus. The 4S receptor is not the same as the 4S binding component formed by salt dissociation of the 8S receptor.
Secretion of cell-wall glycoproteins by yeast protoplasts. Effect of 2-deoxy-d-glucose and cycloheximide
Authors: Farkaš V. , Svoboda A. , Bauer Š.
Published: August 2015

The effect of 2-deoxy-d-glucose and cycloheximide on the synthesis and secretion of the cell-wall constituents protein and mannan in yeast protoplasts was examined in detail. Although the 2-deoxy-d-glucose hardly influenced protein synthesis, a significant parallel inhibition of carbohydrate and protein secretion into the medium was observed. The mechanism of this inhibition is considered as an interference of metabolites of 2-deoxy-d-glucose with the synthesis of yeast mannan. Cycloheximide, which is an effective inhibitor of protein synthesis in yeast (Kerridge, 1958), inhibited the secretion of non-diffusible carbohydrate in yeast protoplasts, but on the other hand had no effect on the activity of particulate yeast mannan synthetase. Our results clearly show that blocking the synthesis of either part of the mannan–protein complex prevents the extracellular appearance of the other component. The nature of this phenomenon is discussed.
The characterization of a protein–polysaccharide isolated from Kurloff cells of the guinea pig
Authors: Dean M. F. , Muir Helen
Published: August 2015

Kurloff cells of guinea pigs increase in number and accumulate in the spleen on oestrogen treatment. Because they contain metachromatic inclusions and are considered to be lymphocytes they were examined as a possible model for mucopolysaccharidoses like Hurler's syndrome, where some lymphocytes are also metachromatic. Oestrogen treatment produced a large increase in a glycosaminoglycan resembling chondroitin 4-sulphate in chemical analysis, chromatographic behaviour and i.r. spectrum but with an additional strong band at 805cm−1. Material isolated without proteolysis behaved on gel chromatography as a multiple-chain protein–polysaccharide whose molecular size was decreased by proteolysis. It contained xylose and galactose in molar proportions with serine, compatible with the presence of the same linkage region as in cartilage chondroitin 4-sulphate proteins and which likewise underwent alkaline β-elimination. Kurloff glycosaminoglycan chains were significantly longer than chondroitin sulphate chains of cartilage protein–polysaccharides as assessed by gel chromatography and the molar ratios of galactosamine to xylose or to serine. Kurloff cells thus contain intact rather than partially degraded protein–polysaccharide and hence are not analogous to Hurler cells, and their electron micrographs were also different. The purified Kurloff protein–polysaccharide and glycosaminoglycan isolated here has been shown by Marshall, Swettenham, Vernon-Roberts & Revell (1970) to be toxic specifically to macrophages at extremely low concentrations in vitro, unlike chondroitin sulphate of protein–polysaccharides from cartilage. The toxic constituent may account for the i.r.-absorption band at 805cm−1. Although active incorporation of [35S]sulphate occurs at early stages of Kurloff-cell induction (Marshall et al. 1970), the fully developed Kurloff cell studied here showed very low incorporation in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that the inclusions are specialized for the storage of the toxic material.
Analytical study of the degradation of nucleohistone during calf thymus chromatin autolysis
Authors: Combard Arlette , Vendrely Roger
Published: August 2015

The mechanism of nucleohistone degradation in calf thymus chromatin during autolysis of the latter involves a release of lysine-rich histone fractions, followed by degradation of the thus-exposed DNA portions; the latter portions are richest in adenine–thymine sequences. After this degradation process, residual nucleohistone fragments of low molecular weight (105) remain. Their chemical composition is special, in that the DNA contains a larger proportion of guanine–cytosine sequences than does the initial DNA and it is combined with arginine-rich histones.
A comparison between the effects of cold exposure in vivo and of noradrenaline in vitro on the metabolism of the brown fat of new-born rabbits
Authors: Knight B. L. , Myant N. B.
Published: August 2015

1. Exposure of new-born rabbits to the cold leads to an increase in the incorporation of [14C]glucose into the glycerol of brown-fat triglyceride, but has no effect on [14C]glucose incorporation into triglyceride of white fat or liver. The effect of cold exposure on brown-fat triglyceride is abolished by cutting the cervical sympathetic nerve. 2. Brown fat incorporates very little [14C]glucose into triglyceride fatty acids, either in vivo or in vitro. 3. Noradrenaline added to incubations of brown fat from new-born rabbits stimulates O2 consumption, CO2 output and incorporation of glucose into triglyceride glycerol. The effects of noradrenaline in vitro are therefore consistent with the hypothesis that noradrenaline mediates the response of the brown fat of new-born rabbits to cold exposure. 4. Glycerokinase is present in the brown fat of new-born rabbits, but its activity is much less than that of the glycerokinase in the brown fat of adult rats. 5. Insulin has no effect on O2 consumption, CO2 output or glucose uptake in brown fat of new-born rabbits. 6. It is concluded that the thermogenic response of new-born rabbits to cold exposure is accompanied by a selective acceleration of the triglyceride cycle in brown fat. However, resynthesis of triglyceride would not account for more than 1% of the O2 consumed in vitro by new-born rabbit brown fat in the presence of noradrenaline if respiration remains coupled to phosphorylation.
Glutamine synthetase in muscle and kidney
Authors: Iqbal Khalid , Ottaway J. H.
Published: August 2015

1. Glutamine synthetase activity has been determined in extracts of rat cardiac and skeletal muscle and kidney, after treatment to ensure that the rate of synthesis was proportional to time of incubation and to amount of extract added. The activity was measured by two methods, with hydroxylamine as substrate. 2. No activity was detected in rat heart extract by either method. The activity in skeletal muscle was of the order of 20μmol of glutamylhydroxamate synthesized/h per g of tissue under optimum conditions. The activity in kidney extracts was 180μmol/h per g of tissue when measured as ferric hydroxamate. 3. The activity in both skeletal-muscle and kidney extracts was inhibited by Pi. The inhibition is competitive for the muscle enzyme, with a Ki of 12mm. For the kidney enzyme the inhibition is non-competitive, and less marked. Possible enzyme mechanisms that would lead to these types of inhibition are discussed. 4. Several observations are reported that suggest that the enzymes from muscle and kidney are not identical. 5. Growth hormone, either in vivo or in vitro, did not affect the measured glutamine synthetase activity of tissue extracts.
Preparation, properties and substrate-exclusion effects of an insoluble pronase derivative
Authors: Cresswell P. , Sanderson A. R.
Published: August 2015

1. A diazotized co-polymer of leucine and p-aminophenylalanine was used to prepare insoluble pronase. 2. The product was similar to the native enzyme in pH optimum, temperature optimum and broad specificity. 3. Exclusion effects were observed that appear related to the molecular weight of the substrate being hydrolysed. 4. The effects are explained on the basis of impedance of substrate access to the catalytic site by the supporting solid matrix.
Carnitine palmitoyltransferase activities (EC 2.3.1.–) of rat liver mitochondria
Authors: Yates D. W. , Garland P. B.
Published: August 2015

1. A continuously recording and sensitive fluorimetric assay is described for carnitine palmitoyltransferase. This assay has been applied to whole or disintegrated mitochondria and to soluble protein fractions. 2. When rat liver mitochondria had been disintegrated by ultrasound, the specific activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase was 15–20m-units/mg of protein. Only one-fifth of this activity was assayable (with added substrates) before mitochondrial disintegration. 3. It is concluded that there are two carnitine palmitoyltransferase activities in rat liver mitochondria, of which one (type I) is relatively superficial in location and catalyses an acyl-group transfer between added CoA and carnitine, whereas the other (type II) is less superficial and catalyses an acyl-group transfer in unbroken mitochondria between added carnitine and intramitochondrial CoA. The existence of two distinct carnitine palmitoyltransferases was predicted by Fritz & Yue (1963). 4. In unbroken mitochondria, type I transferase is accessible to the inhibitor 2-bromostearoyl-CoA whereas the type II transferase is inaccessible. 5. A major part of the total carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity of rat liver mitochondria is membrane-bound and of type II. 6. These observations, when considered in conjunction with the penetration of mitochondria by CoASH or carnitine, indicate that the type II transferase is attached to the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Effect of actinomycin D, cycloheximide, and acute blood loss on ferritin synthesis in rat liver
Authors: Millar J. A. , Cumming R. L. C. , Smith Jacqueline A. , Goldberg A.
Published: August 2015

1. The mechanism of the stimulation of ferritin synthesis by iron in vivo has been studied in rat liver. Ferritin synthesis and turnover was measured by [14C]leucine incorporation. 2. Actinomycin D had no inhibitory effect, after administration of iron, on [14C]leucine incorporation into ferritin but appeared to augment the effect of iron on ferritin synthesis. 3. Cycloheximide completely abolished the stimulation by iron of [14C]leucine into ferritin and was subsequently utilized to show that iron acts in vivo by translational induction of apoferritin synthesis, rather than by stabilization of apoferritin or its precursors. 4. This conclusion was confirmed by showing that 2 days after acute bleeding, when iron was in the process of being removed from hepatic ferritin stores, ferritin synthesis was decreased whereas breakdown rates were unchanged.
Studies on bound trans-4-hydroxy-l-proline in sandal (Santalum album L.)
Authors: Kuttan Ramadasan , Radhakrishnan A. N.
Published: August 2015

1. trans-4-Hydroxy-l-proline was found to occur in the bound state in the leaves of sandal (Santalum album L.), in which large amounts of free cis-4-hydroxy-l-proline are also present. 2. Bound trans-4-hydroxy-l-proline was present, associated mainly with a `wall' fraction and a `soluble' fraction roughly in equal proportions. 3. Bound proline is present only in small amounts in the `soluble' fraction but is mostly associated with the `wall' fraction and the other sedimented fractions. 4. In the free amino acid fraction more than 98% of the hydroxyproline had the cis-configuration, whereas in the `wall' and `soluble' fractions more than 90% of the bound hydroxyproline was in the trans-configuration. 5. Various extraction procedures indicated heterogeneity of the hydroxyproline-containing components. Hot 5% (w/v) trichloroacetic acid extracts about 25% of hydroxyproline and m-NaOH extracts an additional 25%. 6. Incorporation of [14C]proline into the bound hydroxyproline was demonstrated. The hydroxyproline component of the `soluble' fraction does not appear to be the precursor of that of the `wall' fraction.
Histone-acetylating enzyme of brain
Authors: Bondy S. C. , Roberts Sidney , Morelos Beatrice S.
Published: August 2015

1. Acetylation of histones by an enzyme system derived from rat brain and liver (histone acetylase) was studied by using [1-14C]acetyl-CoA as the acetyl group donor. 2. The activity of this enzyme was largely confined to the nucleus. 3. Histone-acetylating activity of cerebral nuclei purified by centrifugation through 1.9m-sucrose was not altered by the presence of the cytoplasmic fraction. 4. Cerebral nuclei from adult rats exhibited greater histone-acetylating activity than did the corresponding preparation from newborn animals. 5. Nuclear acetylating activity was higher in brain than in liver of adult rats but not in newborn animals. 6. The partially purified enzyme from cerebral nuclei, prepared by ammonium sulphate fractionation of an acetone-dried powder, specifically catalysed histone acetylation. 7. Polylysine, protamine, serum albumin and γ-globulin were not enzymically acetylated by this preparation. 8. Soluble acetylating preparations from both brain and liver nuclei were more active towards arginine-rich F3 and slightly lysine-rich F2a and F2b histone fractions than towards the lysine-rich F1 fraction. 9. Enzymic acetylation of chromatin-bound proteins was much less extensive than that of free histones. 10. The high histone acetylase activity in mature brain may reflect the importance of this process in the genetic control of cerebral function.
Structural and functional relationships of enzyme activities induced by nitrate in barley
Authors: Wray John L. , Filner Philip
Published: August 2015

1. Nitrate induces the development of NADH-nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.1), FMNH2–nitrate reductase and NADH–cytochrome c reductase activities in barley shoots. 2. Sucrose-density-gradient analysis shows one band of NADH–nitrate reductase (8S), one band of FMNH2–nitrate reductase activity (8S) and three bands of NADH–cytochrome c reductase activity (bottom layer, 8S and 3.7S). Both 8S and 3.7S NADH–cytochrome c reductase activities are inducible by nitrate, but the induction of the 8S band is much more marked. 3. The 8S NADH–cytochrome c reductase band co-sediments with both NADH–nitrate reductase activity and FMNH2–nitrate reductase activity. Nitrite reductase activity (4.6S) did not coincide with the activity of either the 8S or the 3.7S NADH–cytochrome c reductase. 4. FMNH2–nitrate reductase activity is more stable (t½ 12.5min) than either NADH–nitrate reductase activity (t½ 0.5min) or total NADH–cytochrome c reductase activity (t½ 1.5min) at 45°C. 5. NADH–cytochrome c reductase and NADH–nitrate reductase activities are more sensitive to p-chloromercuribenzoate than is FMNH2–nitrate reductase activity. 6. Tungstate prevents the formation of NADH–nitrate reductase and FMNH2–nitrate reductase activities, but it causes superinduction of NADH–cytochrome c reductase activity. Molybdate overcomes the effects of tungstate. 7. The same three bands (bottom layer, 8S and 3.7S) of NADH–cytochrome c reductase activity are observed irrespective of whether induction is carried out in the presence or absence of tungstate, but only the activities in the 8S and 3.7S bands are increased. 8. The results support the idea that NADH–nitrate reductase, FMNH2–nitrate reductase and NADH–cytochrome c reductase are activities of the same enzyme complex, and that in the presence of tungstate the 8S enzyme complex is formed but is functional only with respect to NADH–cytochrome c reductase activity.
Cell-wall thickening in Bacillus subtilis. Comparison of thickened and normal walls
Authors: Hughes R. C. , Tanner P. J. , Stokes Elaine
Published: August 2015

1. Incubation of Bacillus subtilis 168 trp in a glucose–amino acids–salts medium lacking tryptophan leads to an inhibition of cellular growth without affecting cell-wall synthesis. The cell walls increased approximately two- to three-fold in thickness and at the same time the amount of mucopeptide in the cells measured chemically increased to about the same extent. 2. Synthesis of mucopeptide and teichoic acid as measured by the extent of incorporation of radioactivity continued linearly for approximately 1h and then stopped. No reason was found for the strictly limited synthesis of the wall polymers. 3. The initial rates of incorporation of [32P]Pi or [3H]alanine into teichoic acid and of 3H-labelled amino acids into mucopeptide were not appreciably inhibited by the addition of chloramphenicol to the glucose–amino acids–salts medium. 4. There was no selective turnover of the mucopeptide synthesized by the cells in a medium lacking tryptophan on resumption of growth in a complete medium. 5. Wall synthesis taking place during the thickening process was similar to normal wall synthesis proceeding in growing cells. Walls of different thicknesses prepared from cells incubated for various times in incomplete medium did not differ qualitatively in composition. The products of autolysis of thickened walls were isolated and the analyses indicated a close similarity in the details of their mucopeptide structure compared with the mucopeptide of cells growing in the exponential phase.
The preparation of α-oxo acid derivatives suitable for specific-radioactivity determination
Authors: Mowbray J. , Ottaway J. H.
Published: August 2015

1. Conditions favouring the condensation of o-phenylenediamine with α-oxo acids to form substituted quinoxalines have been investigated. The best yields (85–100%) are obtained by incubation of the reagents in 2m-hydrochloric acid. Substitution of acetic acid for hydrochloric acid, or of halogen-substituted 1,2-diaminobenzenes for phenylenediamine, increases the initial rate of reaction, but not the yield of quinoxalines. 2. The quinoxaline derivatives are insoluble in water and can be readily purified. They are very suitable for determination of the specific radioactivities of radioactively labelled α-oxo acids because they are colourless, soluble in dioxan-based scintillators, and their strong absorption of u.v. light facilitates their chemical determination. As little as 1 nmol can be accurately determined by means of the blue fluorescence produced by absorption of light at 340–360nm. 3. Optimum conditions for preparation, purification and separation by paper and thin-layer chromatography are described.
Molecular weight of Escherichia coli β-galactosidase in concentrated solutions of guanidine hydrochloride
Authors: Erickson Robert P.
Published: August 2015

The molecular weight of Escherichia coli β-galactosidase was determined in 6m- and 8m-guanidine hydrochloride by meniscus-depletion sedimentation equilibrium, sedimentation velocity and viscosity. Sedimentation equilibrium revealed heterogeneity with the smallest component having a molecular weight of about 50000. At lower speeds, the apparent weight-average molecular weight is about 80000. By use of a calculation based on an empirical correlation for proteins that are random coils in 6m-guanidine hydrochloride, sedimentation velocity gave a molecular weight of 91000, and the intrinsic viscosity indicated a viscosity-average molecular weight of 84000. Heating in 6m-guanidine hydrochloride lowered the viscosity of β-galactosidase in a variable manner.
Changes in the concentration of high-affinity oestradiol receptors in rat uterine supernatant preparations during the oestrous cycle, pseudopregnancy, pregnancy, maturation and after ovariectomy
Authors: Feherty Patricia , Robertson D. M. , Waynforth H. B. , Kellie A. E.
Published: August 2015

A quantitative method was used to determine the concentration of high-affinity oestradiol-receptor sites in rat uterine supernatant preparations under various physiological conditions. Cyclic changes in concentration were observed during the oestrous cycle, with a maximum occurring in late dioestrus. The changes followed a similar pattern in endometrium and myometrium, although concentrations were higher in the former. In pseudopregnancy the concentration was initially low, rising to a maximum on the tenth day. In early pregnancy a high concentration of receptor was found to be associated with the developing placenta, but this declined in later stages of pregnancy. After ovariectomy or combined ovariectomy and adrenalectomy the receptor concentration remained at a constant low value that could be increased by treatment with oestradiol. The receptor concentration was considerably higher in immature than in adult uteri.
The dissociation of chicken erythrocyte deoxyribonucleoprotein and some properties of its partial nucleoproteins
Authors: Murray K. , Bradbury E. M. , Crane-Robinson C. , Stephens R. M. , Haydon A. J. , Peacocke A. R.
Published: August 2015

Histones were completely dissociated from their native complex with DNA in 2.0m-sodium chloride. Histone fractions IIb, V and I were dissociated in 1.2m-sodium chloride, fractions V and I in 0.7m-sodium chloride and fraction I in 0.45m-sodium chloride. Repeated extraction of partial dRNP (deoxyribonucleoprotein) preparations with sodium chloride of the same concentration as that from which they were prepared resulted in release of histones that previously had remained associated with the DNA of the complex. Gradual removal of histones from dRNP was paralleled by an improvement in solubility, a decrease in wavelength of the u.v.-absorption minimum, and a fall in sedimentation coefficient of the remaining partial dRNP. X-ray diffraction patterns of partial dRNP preparations showed that removal of histone fractions I and V from dRNP did not destroy the super-coil structure of the dRNP, but further removal of histones did. Infrared spectra of partial dRNP preparations showed that in native dRNP histone fraction I was present in the form of extended, isolated polypeptide chains, and that the other histone fractions probably contain a helical component that lies roughly parallel to the polynucleotide chains in the double helix and an extended polypeptide component that is more nearly parallel to the DNA helix axis. An analysis of the sedimentation of partial dRNP preparations on sucrose gradients showed that native dRNP consists of DNA molecules each complexed with histone fractions of all types.
(+)-γ-Carboxymethyl-γ-methyl-Δα-butenolide. A 1,2 ring-fission product of 4-methylcatechol by Pseudomonas desmolyticum
Authors: Catelani D. , Fiecchi A. , Galli E.
Published: August 2015

1. (+)-γ-Carboxymethyl-γ-methyl-Δα-butenolide was isolated from resting-cell cultures of Pseudomonas desmolyticum incubated in the presence of 5-methylsalicylic acid. 2. The structure of this metabolite was deduced from physical and chemical evidence. 3. The isolated compound must be formed in an enzymic reaction since it shows optical activity. 4. The degradative pathway of 4-methylcatechol by Ps. desmolyticum is discussed.
The purification and characterization of acetoacetyl-coenzyme A reductase from Azotobacter beijerinckii
Authors: Ritchie G. A. F. , Senior P. J. , Dawes E. A.
Published: August 2015

A soluble acetoacetyl-CoA reductase (EC 1.1.1.36) was purified 54-fold from Azotobacter beijerinckii N.C.I.B. 9067 and the reaction product identified as d(−)-β-hydroxybutyryl-CoA. The Michaelis constants for acetoacetyl-CoA, NADPH and NADH were determined and the reaction rate was found to be some fivefold greater with NADPH than with NADH. At neutral pH the equilibrium greatly favours the formation of the reduced product. Substrate specificity was in the order: acetoacetyl-CoA>acetoacetylpantetheine>acetoacetyl-(acyl-carrier protein). The enzyme possesses a functional thiol group, suffers inactivation by oxygen and is inhibited by thiol-blocking reagents. Inhibition by p-chloromercuribenzoate is reversed by excess of dithiothreitol, which also protects the enzyme from inactivation by oxygen.
The α-amylase of the beetle Callosobruchus chinensis. Purification and action pattern
Authors: Podoler H. , Applebaum S. W.
Published: August 2015

Callosobruchus chinensis larval amylase was isolated and purified in five steps, which included co-precipitation with glycogen and column chromatography on ECTEOLA-cellulose. The enzyme was homogeneous by disc gel electrophoresis on polyacrylamide. The α-amylase nature was evidenced by the action on amylopectin β-amylase limit-dextrin, by the effect on the substrate–iodine complex and by the action pattern on several polysaccharide substrates. These action patterns are compared with those of other α-amylases.
The enzymic deacylation of phospholipids and galactolipids in plants. Purification and properties of a lipolytic acyl-hydrolase from potato tubers
Authors: Galliard T
Published: August 2015

An enzyme preparation that catalyses the deacylation of mono- and di-acyl phospholipids, galactosyl diglycerides, mono- and di-glycerides has been partially purified from potato tubers. The preparation also hydrolyses methyl and p-nitrophenyl esters and acts preferentially on esters of long-chain fatty acids. Triglycerides, wax esters and sterol esters are not hydrolysed. The same enzyme preparation catalyses acyl transfer reactions in the presence of alcohols and also catalyses the synthesis of wax esters from long-chain alcohols and free fatty acids. Gel filtration, DEAE-cellulose chromatography and free-flow electrophoresis failed to achieve any separation of the acyl-hydrolase activities towards different classes of acyl lipids (phosphatidylcholine, monogalactosyl diglyceride, mono-olein, methyl palmitate and p-nitrophenyl palmitate) or any separation of these activities from a major protein component. For each class of lipid the acyl-hydrolase activity was subject to substrate inhibition, was inhibited by relatively high concentrations of di-isopropyl phosphorofluoridate and the pH responses were changed by Triton X-100. The hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine was stimulated 30–40-fold by Triton X-100. The specific activities of the potato enzyme with galactolipids were at least 70 times higher than those reported for a homogeneous galactolipase enzyme purified from runner bean leaves. The possibility that a single lipolytic acyl-hydrolase enzyme is responsible for the deacylation of several classes of acyl lipid is discussed.
The computed distribution of copper(II) and zinc(II) ions among seventeen amino acids present in human blood plasma
Authors: Hallman P. S. , Perrin D. D. , Watt Ann E.
Published: August 2015

The equilibrium distribution of copper(II) and zinc(II) ions among a mixture of 17 amino acids has been computed from stability-constant and blood-plasma-composition data. At pH7.4, 98% of the copper(II) in the simulated plasma solution is co-ordinated to histidine and cystine, predominantly as the mixed-ligand complexes [Cu·His·Cystine]− and [Cu·H·His·Cystine]. Approximately half of the zinc(II) is co-ordinated to cysteine and histidine, but appreciable complex-formation occurs with most of the other amino acids. Stability constants are given for copper(II) and zinc(II) amino acid complexes, including some mixed-ligand species, at 37°C and I=0.15m.
A polymer of glucose and N-acetylgalactosamine 1-phosphate in the wall of Micrococcus sp. A1
Authors: Partridge Margaret D. , Davison A. L. , Baddiley J.
Published: August 2015

1. The walls of Micrococcus sp. A1contain about 43% of a phosphorylated polymer. It was extracted with cold trichloroacetic acid and purified by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. 2. The polymer contained equimolar amounts of d-glucose, N-acetylgalactosamine and phosphate, and was readily hydrolysed under gentle acidic conditions to a phosphorylated disaccharide. 3. Chemical and enzymic degradation indicated that this was 3-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-N-acetylgalactosamine with a phosphomonoester group at the 6-position on the glucose. 4. Related degradation of the polymer itself indicated that the repeating structure was the disaccharide with a phosphodiester residue joining the 1-position on galactosamine to the 6-position on glucose in a neighbouring unit. This polymer is thus another example of the increasing number of microbial wall polymers or teichoic acids possessing sugar 1-phosphate linkages.
The binding of substrates and modifiers to glucosamine synthetase
Authors: Winterburn P. J. , Phelps C. F.
Published: August 2015

1. The binding of substrates and effectors to glucosamine synthetase (l-glutamine–d-fructose 6-phosphate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.16) was studied by using the ligand to alter the denaturation rate of the enzyme. The free enzyme bound fructose 6-phosphate, glucose 6-phosphate and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, but not glutamine, AMP or UTP. Glucose 6-phosphate and AMP increased the binding of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine whereas UTP decreased the interaction between the enzyme and the feedback inhibitor. UDP-N-acetylglucosamine induced a glutamine-binding site on the enzyme. 2. Selective thermal or chemical denaturation revealed that the UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-binding site was not located at the catalytic site. The UTP site could not be distinguished from that for the nucleotide sugar. The AMP- and glucose 6-phosphate-binding sites were distinct from the catalytic and feedback-inhibitor-binding sites. 3. The specificity of the glutamine-binding site was investigated by using a series of potential analogues. 4. A model is proposed for the action of the effectors and the mechanism of the reaction discussed in kinetic and chemical terms.
The biosynthesis of serine and glycine in Pseudomonas AM1 with special reference to growth on carbon sources other than C1 compounds
Authors: Harder W. , Quayle J. R.
Published: August 2015

1. A mutant, 20S, of Pseudomonas AM1 was obtained that requires a supplement of serine to grow on succinate, lactate or ethanol. This mutant lacks phosphoserine phosphatase and revertants to wild-type phenotype regained this enzymic activity showing that the phosphorylated pathway of serine biosynthesis is necessary for growth on these three substrates. 2. The requirement for supplemental serine by mutant 20S could be met by glycine, suggesting that Pseudomonas AM1 can obtain C1 units from glycine. 3. Mutant 20S grows on C1 compounds at a lower rate compared with the wild type. Supplementation with serine stimulated the growth rate of the mutant suggesting that the phosphorylated pathway of serine biosynthesis plays some role, but not an essential role, during growth on C1 compounds. 4. A mutant, 82G, was obtained that requires a supplement of glycine to grow on succinate, lactate or ethanol. When grown in such supplemented media, the mutant lacks serine hydroxymethyltransferase and revertants to wild-type phenotype regained enzymic activity showing that during growth on succinate, lactate or ethanol, glycine is made from serine via serine hydroxymethyltransferase, and that the organism can obtain C1 units from glycine. 5. Mutant 82G grew on methanol and then contained serine hydroxymethyltransferase suggesting that this enzyme is necessary for growth on C1 compounds and that Pseudomonas AM1 may synthesize two such enzymes, one used in growth on C1 compounds, the other used in growth on other substrates. Mutant 82G might lack the latter enzyme. 6. Phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase is specifically inhibited by l-serine and the regulatory implications of this are discussed.
The products from papain and pepsin hydrolyses of guinea-pig immunoglobulins γ1G and γ2G
Authors: Leslie R G Q , Melamed M. D. , Cohen S.
Published: August 2015

1. The products from papain and pepsin hydrolyses of the guinea-pig immunoglobulins γ1G and γ2G were isolated and characterized with regard to molecular weight, amino acid composition, hexose content and antigenic specificity. 2. Fragments Fab and (Fab′)2 from immunoglobulins γ1G and γ2G have similar electrophoretic and antigenic properties, but show some class-specific differences in amino acid composition. 3. Three Fc fragments were obtained after papain digestion of immunoglobulin γ2G, namely, fragment Fc dimer (mol.wt. 58000), fragment Fc monomer (mol.wt. 29000) and fragment Fc′ (mol.wt. 8000). A single crystalline fragment, namely fragment Fc′ (mol.wt. 11000), was isolated after papain digestion of immunoglobulin γ1G. 4. Peptic digestion of immunoglobulins γ1G and γ2G releases C-terminal fragments, namely, fragments pFc′, of similar molecular weight (13000) but different amino acid compositions and distinct antigenic specificities. 5. Digestion-time studies show that immunoglobulin γ1G is far more susceptible to proteolysis than is immunoglobulin γ2G and suggest that at least a proportion of molecules are split primarily at a site that liberates fragment γ1Fc′.
γ-Glutamyl and d- or l-peptide linkages in mycobacillin, a cyclic peptide antibiotic
Authors: Sengupta S. , Banerjee A. B. , Bose S. K.
Published: August 2015

Mycobacillin lacks amino groups but contains two free α-carboxyl groups, indicating the presence of two side-chain peptide linkages. The five aspartic acid residues of mycobacillin are all in α-peptide linkage whereas the two glutamic acid residues are in γ-linkage. Mycobacillin does not react with hydroxylamine to give hydroxamate, indicating the absence of anhydride, lactone and ester linkages. This is also confirmed by i.r. spectroscopy and titration of the molecule. Of the 15 peptides obtained from partial hydrolysates of mycobacillin, 12 contain aspartic acid. Results obtained by treatment of hydrolysates of aspartic acid-containing peptides with d-amino acid oxidase and l-glutamate decarboxylase (containing l-aspartate decarboxylase activity) indicate that residue 5 is l-aspartic acid and residues 2, 8, 11 and 13 are d-aspartic acid. The d- or l-peptide sequence and nature of peptide linkages in mycobacillin are proposed on the basis of these findings and the amino acid sequence reported earlier.