bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
beta-Lipotropin as a prohormone for the morphinomimetic peptides endorphins and enkephalins.
Authors: Lazarus L H , Ling N , Guillemin R
Published: May 2006

The hypophysial homomeric peptide beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH-[1-91]) has no morphinomomimetic activity in a bioassay (myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle of the guinea pig's ileum) or binding assays with stereospecific opiate-receptors of rat brain synaptosome preparations. Incubating beta-LPH-[1-91] at neutral pH with the supernatant aqueous extracts of rat brain generates (fragments of beta-LPH with) morphinomimetic activity in the same assay systems. These results are related to the recently recognized structural relationships between beta-LPH, the newly isolated peptides met-enkephalin (beta-LPH-[61-65]) and alpha-endorphin (beta-LPH-[61-76]) and also to the biologically active fragments of analogs: beta-LPH-[61-64], beta-LPH-[61-65[-NH2, (Met(O)65)-BETA-LPH-[61-65], beta-LPH-[61-69], and beta-LPH-[61-69]. Enzymatic biogenesis of these morphinomimetic peptides would preclude localizing them as such in cellular or subcellular elements with currently available methodology.
Initiation of replication in chromosomal DNA induced by extracts from proliferating cells.
Authors: Jazwinski S M , Wang J L , Edelman G M
Published: May 2006

Addition of an extract prepared from a proliferating cell line to nuclei isolated from resting tissues such as frog liver and spleen resulted in the stimulation of DNA synthesis as assayed by [3H]dTTP incorporation. This stimulated incorporation of [3H]dTTP required ATP and depended on Mg2+ and deoxynucleoside triphosphates. Pulse-chase experiments showed that the synthesis of DNA in this system was discontinuous, resulting in the appearance of approximately 4S fragments and their ligation to yield higher molecular weight DNA. In addition, electron microscopic analysis of the DNA molecules from the reaction mixture showed that the frequency of replication "eyes" in the extract-stimulated reaction was 10-fold higher than that observed in controls. All of these results strongly suggest that the extract stimulated initiation of DNA replication in the chromatin of normally resting cells. Preliminary characterization by dialysis, heating, and enzyme treatments indicated that the activity is associated with one or more proteins of high molecular weight (greater than 50,000). Comparison of the levels of stimulatory activity in extracts from various mammalian and avian sources showed that the activity was present in cells proliferating either in vivo or in tissue culture. In contrast, extracts from normally resting tissues and cells had no activity. The level of activity present did not appear to be directly related to the levels of DNA polymerase. These results suggest a use for this system in studying regulation of the initiation of DNA synthesis and control of the various phases of the cell cycle.
Independent regulation of endogenous and exogenous avian RNA tumor virus genes.
Authors: Hayward W S , Hanafusa H
Published: May 2006

3H-Labeled complementary DNA specific for the envelope glycoprotein (env) gene of avian leukosis-sarcoma viruses was isolated by selective nucleic acid hybridization techniques, and used to analyze the expression of the endogenous provirus. The endogenous provirus in certain cell types termed chicken helper factor positive (chf+) can synthesize the envelope glycoprotein. Env DNA sequences were present in both chf+ and chf- cells, but env RNA was detectable only in positive cell types. When these cells were infected with the Bryan strain of Rous sarcoma virus (BH-RSV), a defective virus which is deleted in the env gene, the levels of endogenous env RNA remained unchanged, although exogenous BH-RSV specific RNA was synthesized in very high amounts. Thus, the infecting virus did not appear to influence the expression of the endogenous virus. Likewise, the endogenous virus did not influence the exogenous virus expression, since similar amounts of BH-RSV specific RNA were present in all infected cell types, regardless of the level of endogenous virus expression.
Dietary and hormonal regulation of the content of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase-synthesizing polysomes in rat liver.
Authors: Nakanishi S , Tanabe T , Horikawa S , Numa S
Published: May 2006

Specific polysomes involved the the synthesis of acetyl-CoA carboxylase [acetyl-CoA: carbon-dioxide ligase (ADP-forming), EC 6.4.1.2] have been identified by the binding of 125I-labeled antiacetyl-CoA carboxylase to rat liver polysomes. The binding is highly specific and occurs through the recognition of the nascent peptide chains on polysomes. With the use of the 125I-labeled antibody binding technique, it has been demonstrated that the relative content of acetyl-CoA carboxylase-synthesizing polysomes in the liver correlates well with the rate of hepatic synthesis of the enzyme in rats subjected to different dietary conditions as well as in alloxan-diabetic rats with or without insulin treatment.
A fucose-deficient glycoprotein precursor to Rauscher leukemia virus gp69/71.
Authors: Naso R B , Arcement L J , Karshin W L , Jamjoom G A , Arlinghaus R B
Published: May 2006

Rauscher leukemia virus glycoprotein gp69/71 is synthesized in virus-infected cells by way of a 90,000 dalton glycoprotein precursor, termed Pr2a+b. This precursor could be labeled with radioactive glucosamine and methionine but not with fucose; whereas gp69/71 could be detected by labeling with radioactive glucosamine, fucose, or a mixture of amino acids but seemed to be deficient in methionine relative to Pr2a+b. Pr2a+b and gp69/71, were specifically precipitated by an antiserum prepared against phosphocellulose purified Rauscher gp69/71. Other virus-specific precursors, in addition to Pr2a+b, could be precipitated by antiserum prepared against detergent disrupted virus. Neither Pr2a+b nor gp69/71 was precipitated from cell extracts by antisera to Rauscher p30. Tryptic maps of Pr2a+b and gp69/71 showed that these glycoproteins share many tryptic peptides. Pulse-chase experiments with 14C-labeled amino acids indicated that gp69/71 was not radio-labeled during the pulse-labeling period but slowly appeared during the chase incubations. Pr2a+b, however, was rapidly labeled and tended to disappear during long chases. Furthermore, two nonglycosylated viral proteins, termed p15E and p12E, are structurally related to Pr2a+b. Viral p15E and p12E contained the same methionine-containing tryptic peptide fraction as Pr2a+b as determined by ion-exchange chromatography. These results provide evidence that Pr2a+b is a precursor to gp69/71 and establish a structural and possible precursor-product relationship between Pr2a+b, p15E, and p12E.
Chick cytoplasmic actin and muscle actin have different structural genes.
Authors: Storti R V , Rich A
Published: May 2006

Actins isolated from embryonic chick brain and muscle differ in mobility when subjected to electrophoresis in gels containing urea and sodium dodecyl sulfate. Experiments were carried out to determine whether these actins are products of different structural genes and differ in primary amino acid sequence, or whether they are products of the same structural gene but are different because of post-translational modification. Messenger RNA from brain and muscle tissue was used to direct cell-free protein synthesis in wheat germ extracts. The synthesized actins were identified by conversion from globular to fibrous actin and by two-dimensional chromatographic analysis of tryptic peptides. The differences in electrophoretic mobility of brain compared to muscle actin were maintained in the cell-free protein synthetic products. Therefore, these mobility differences were not due to post-translational modification. It was concluded that brain and muscle actin are coded by different messenger RNAs and therefore arise from different structural genes. In addition, messenger RNA from 13- and 16-day embryonic thigh muscle directed the synthesis of both brain- and muscle-type actins, suggesting that muscle cell differentiation involves the regulation of at least two different actin genes.
Immunological block to mammalian fertilization: survival and organ distribution of immunoglobulin which inhibits fertilization in vivo.
Authors: Yanagimachi R , Winkelhake J , Nicolson G L
Published: May 2006

Fertilization of golden hamster eggs was blocked both in vitro and in vivo by antibodies produced in rabbits against specific hamster ovarian antigens (HOA). Antibodies against HOA bound to surfaces of the hamster egg zona pellucida and prevented spermatozoa from attaching to the zona and entering eggs in vitro. Fertilization in animals could be blocked for four estrous cycles by a single intraperitoneal injection of anti-HOA immunoglobulin, but not by control immunoglobulin. The in vivo fate of anti-HOA immunoglobulin was analyzed by simultaneous injection of 125I-anti-HOA IgG and control 131I-IgG. Both anti-HOA IgG and control IgG appeared in a variety of organs (lung, kidney, spleen, liver, and uterus) shortly after injection, but disappeared rapidly with no detectable differences in organ half lives. However, in the ovary anti-HOA IgG (but not control IgG) persisted at high levels during the period of infertility. Quantitative precipitin analysis of organ homogenates indicated that a high percentage of anti-HOA IgG in the ovary (but not in the other organs tested) was immunologically indistinguishable from IgG indicating lack of radiolabel metabolism and reincorporation. The results are discussed in terms of the development of a specific immunological block to fertility.
Paradoxical effects of cycloheximide and cytochalasin B on hamster cell hexose uptake.
Authors: Christopher C W , Ullrey D , Colby W , Kalckar M
Published: May 2006

Cellular regulation of hexose uptake was studied in cultures of NIL hamster cells. Enhancements of galactose uptake were elicited most strikingly by maintaining confluent NIL cultures in culture media devoid of glucose. These glucose-starved cultures showed up to 8- or 9-fold enhancements in the galactose uptake test. When these cultures were treated for extended periods with cycloheximide, the enhanced uptake was left unimpaired, whereas the uptake by glucose-fed cells, similarly treated with cycloheximide, was inhibited greater than 90%. Addition of glucose to these starved cultures resulted in a gradual decline of uptake rates to the unenhanced level (t1/2 approximately 3 hr). In surprising contrast, when both glucose and cycloheximide were added simultaneously, the decline was arrested for at least 12 hr. If cytochalasin B (the specific inhibitor of hexose transport) was present, the uptake of galactose by both starved and fed cells was close to completely inhibited. By several criteria, cells maintained for 24 hr in medium containing both glucose and cytochalasin B were glucose-fed. Yet, when the cytochalasin B was removed, the cells were found to have enhanced rates of galactose uptake. The regulation of the hexose uptake system may therefore not be guided by the levels of glucose catabolites. Alternative mechanisms that may control hexose uptake are considered.
Sequences related to immunoglobulin kappa chain messenger RNA in T cells.
Authors: Storb U , Hager L , Putnam D , Buck L , Farin F , Clagett J
Published: May 2006

We investigated by molecular hybridization whether T cells contain RNA sequences homologous to RNA which codes for immunoglobulin kappa-chain (k-chain). A radioactive probe of complementary DNA (cDNA) was prepared by transcription of purified k-chain mRNA from mouse myeloma MOPC-41 with reverse transcriptase (RNA-dependent-DNA nucleotidyltransferase) from avian myeloblastosis virus. The cDNA probably corresponded only to the constant region and 3'-terminus of k-chain mRNA. Kappa-chain cDNA was found to hybridize efficiently with RNA from both thymus cells and an established culture of thymoma cells. The thymus and thymoma cells contained 99.8% and 100% theta-positive cells, respectively. Quantitatively the average thymus T cell (thymus derived lymphocyte) contained about one half as much k-chain mRNA as the average spleen B cell ("bursa" dependent lymphocyte), whereas the thymoma cells contained only 1/33 as much. Control hybridizations of k-chain cDNA with myeloma and liver RNA support the conclusion that T cells in the thymus and in the thymoma cell line synthesize k-chain mRNA-like molecules. The thermal stability of hybrids of k-chain cDNA with RNA from spleen, thymus, thymoma, and another k-chain producing myeloma tumor was lower than that with MOPC-41 RNA. This finding may be due to the existence of several slightly different ck genes in the mouse as suggested by various control experiments.
Guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate binding proteins in rat tissues.
Authors: Lincoln T M , Hall C L , Park C R , Corbin J D
Published: May 2006

Rat tissues were surveyed for proteins which bind cGMP. Binding activity was high in extracts of lung, cerebellum, and small intestine, but was low in those of liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. DEAE-cellulose chromatography resolved two peaks of cGMP-binding activity in most tissues. The binding protein in peak 1 was eluted in the flow-through volume and was most abundant in extracts of intestine. It had a sedimentation coefficient of 6S and was highly specific for cGMP at pH 7.0 (dissociation constant KD=0.05 muM). No cGMP-dependent histone kinase activity was found for this peak. The binding protein in peak 2 was eluted by 0.05-0.15 M NaCl and was the predominant binding substance in lung, cerebellum, and heart. It had a sedimentation coefficient of 8S and binding was also highly specific for cGMP, with a KD of 0.05 muM. This peak of binding activity was associated with cGMP-dependent protein kinase activity which could be purified approximately 200-fold by Sepharose 6B chromatography. Cyclic GMP dependency of kinase activity was observed only at low histone concentrations. The abundance of one or both the above binding proteins correlated with the known basal levels of cGMP in the tissues.
Partial amino-acid sequence of the precursor of an immunoglobulin light chain containing NH2-terminal pyroglutamic acid.
Authors: Burstein Y , Kantour F , Schechter I
Published: May 2006

Analyses of amino-acid sequences of the total cell-free products programmed by the mRNA of MOPC-104E gamma light (L)-chain show that over 95% of the products have sequences of a distinct protein that correspond to the L-chain precursor. In this precursor an extra piece is coupled to the NH2-terminus of the mature L-chain. Analyses of products labeled with [3H]alanine, [3H]leucine, and [3H]proline demonstrate that the extra piece is composed of at least 18 residues. Analyses of [35S]methione-labeled product indicate that the extra piece may contain an additional NH2-terminal methionine, which is detected in about 10% of the molecules. Partial recovery of the NJ2-terminal methionine (alanine, leucine, and proline are recovered in yields close to theoretical, greater than 95%) suggests that it is the initiator methionine, which is known to be short lived in eukaryotes due to rapid hydrolysis. Thus, the extra piece seems to be 19 residues in length, and it contains one methionine at the NH2-terminus, three alanines at positions 2, 12, and 17, and five leucines at positions 6, 8, 10, 11, and 13. The close gathering of leucine residues, as well as their abundance (26%), suggest that the extra piece would be quite hydrophobic. Hydrophobicity seems to be a general property of the extra piece, since similar clusters of leucine were found in the precursors of 3 KL-chains (Burstein, Y. & Schechter, I. (1976) Biochem. J. 157, 145-151). The NH2-terminus of the mature MOPC-104E gamma L-chain is blocked by pyroglutamic acid. The fact that in the precursor a peptide segment precedes this NH2-terminus establishes that pyroglutamic acid is not the initiator residue for synthesis of the L-chain. Apparently, the pyroglutamic acid is formed by cyclization of glutamic acid or glutamine during cleavage of the extra piece to yield the mature L-chain.
Regulation of active alpha-aminoisobutyric acid transport expressed in membrane vesicles from mouse fibroblasts.
Authors: Lever J E
Published: May 2006

Membrane vesicles isolated from untransformed Balb/c and Swiss mouse fibroblasts and from those transformed by simian virus 40 catalyzed carrier-mediated uptake of L-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. Concentrative uptake required the presence of a Na+ gradient (external Na+ greater than internal Na+) and occurred independently of endogenous (Na+ + K+) ATPase activity. This process is electrogenic, since uptake was stimulated by a K+ diffusion gradient (internal greater external) in the presence of valinomycin or by the addition of the Na+ salt of a permeant ion, conditions expected to create an interior-negative membrane potential. Both the initial rate of concentrative uptake of L-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and its maximal accumulation, driven by a standard Na+ gradient, were decreased in vesicles from density-inhibited, untransformed cells and increased in those from cells transformed by simian virus 40 compared with vesicles from proliferating untransformed cells. An increased maximal velocity (Vmax) of uptake stimulated by Na+ gradient was observed in vesicles from transformed cells compared with those from untransformed cells, suggesting an increase in the number of carriers or in their mobility. Since the relative extent of accumulation of this model amino acid driven by a standard Na+ gradient also differed with growth or transformed status, an additional possibility for cellular regulation of this process could be alteration of membrane Na+ permeability or carrier response to Na+.
Photoaffinity labeling and quaternary structure of the acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo californica.
Authors: Hucho F , Layer P , Kiefer H R , Bandini G
Published: May 2006

Membrane fragments from electric tissue of Torpedo californica containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor are composed of four different polypeptide chains with molecular weights of 40,000 (alpha), 48,000 (beta), 62,000 (gamma), and 66,000 (delta). The alpha and beta chains are still present in all and gamma and delta in some of the receptor preparations after Triton X-100 extraction and purification by affinity chromatography. All components of the receptor react covalently with the photoaffinity label 4-azido-2-nitrobenzyltrimethylammonium fluoroborate, the delta chain incorporating less of the reagent as compared to the alpha and beta chains. Agonists and antagonists containing a quaternary ammonium group protect all chains against the label; the principal neurotoxin from Naja naja siamensis protects the alpha chain only. We conclude that the alpha chain binds the neurotoxin from Naja naja, the alpha and beta chains are involved in the binding of ligands with quaternary ammonium groups, and the function of the gamma and delta chains remains to be determined.
Comparison of regulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase in hepatoma cells grown in vivo and in vitro.
Authors: Beirne O R , Watson J A
Published: May 2006

Unlike the normal liver, numerous transplantable rodent and human hepatomas are unable to alter their rate of sterol synthesis and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-GoA) reductase [mevalonate: NADP+ oxidoreductase (CoA-acylating), EC 1.1.1.34] activity in response to a dietary cholesterol challenge. It has been suggested that this metabolic defect is linked to the process of malignant transformation. Hepatoma 7288C "lacks" feedback regulation of cholesterol synthesis when grown in vivo but expresses this regulatory property when grown in vitro (then called HTC). Therefore, it was used as a model system to answer whether an established hepatoma cell line that modulates its rate of cholesterol synthesis in vitro can express this property when grown in vivo, and whether cells reisolated from the tumor mass have the same regulatory phenotype as before transplantation. Our results show that long-term growth of hepatoma 7288C in tissue culture has not caused a biotransformation that permits feedback regulation of HMG-CoA reductase when the cells are transplanted back into host animals. In addition, HTC cells reisolated from the tumor mass and established in tissue culture continue to have the ability to regulate HMG-CoA reductase activity. Therefore, malignant transformation is not categorically linked to the loss of the cellular components necessary to regulate sterol synthesis and HMG-CoA reductase activity.
Direct biochemical mapping of eukaryotic viral DNA by means of a linked transcription-translation cell-free system.
Authors: Rozenblatt S , Mulligan R C , Gorecki M , Roberts B E , Rich A
Published: May 2006

A method is described for mapping regions of eukaryotic viral DNA coding for specific proteins, utilizing a linked transcription-translation cell-free system primed with DNA fragments generated by restriction endonucleases. Three simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA fragments derived from that region of the DNA expressed late in lytic infection were purified. They were: Hpa I-A (0.76-0.175 map units), Bgl I-EcoRI-B (0.672-0), and Hpa II-EcoRI-B (0.735-0). (Fragments are named from the cleaving restriction endonuclease and electrophoretic mobility. End positions on the conventional map are in clockwise order.) These fragments efficiently stimulated the incorporation of [3H]UTP and [35S]methionine into trichloroacetic-acid-insoluble material in the linkec system. The location of the region of DNA coding for the viral structural proteins VPI, VP2 and VP3 was determined from the spectrum of polypeptide synthesis directed by the individual intact fragments and their specific endonucleolytic digests. The polypeptides synthesized in the cell-free system were characterized on urea-sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gradient gels and by two-dimensional tryptic peptide analysis. ..
Abnormal response to minor histocompatibility antigens in Obese strain chickens.
Authors: Jakobisiak M , Sundick R S , Bacon L D , Rose N R
Published: May 2006

Obese strain chickens, which spontaneously develop autoimmune thyroiditis, were tested for their ability to tolerate skin allografts. Several procedures known to prolong graft survival in normal strains were employed. These included the use of skin matched at the major histocompatibility locus, grafting on the day of hatching, thymectomy, and x-irradiation. A dramatic difference between the Obese and the normal Cornell strain (the strain from which Obese was derived) was detected when both were thymectomized and grafted at hatching. Under these conditions eight of 13 normal but only one of 16 Obese strain birds retained their grafts for 50 days. This suggests the presence of an abnormal thymus or thymus-derived suppressor T cells in Obese strain chickens.
Abnormal levels of 3':5'-cyclic AMP in isoproterenol-stimulated fibroblasts from patients with cystic fibrosis.
Authors: Buchwald M
Published: May 2006

To determine if the abnormalities of exocrine secretion characteristic of cystic fibrosis could be investigated in vitro, I studied the synthesis of 3':5'-cyclic AMP after isoproterenol stimulation in skin fibroblasts derived from patients with cystic fibrosis and from normal individuals. Comparison of normal and cystic fibrosis cells showed that the latter had 2- to 5-fold greater levels of intracellular cyclic AMP after stimulation with isoproterenol. The difference between the strains was observed at every stage of the culture cycle and was specific to stimulation by beta-adrenergic agonists. It could not be accounted for by different dose- or time-response curves nor by leakage of cyclic AMP into the medium. The increased sensitivity to catecholamines may reflect an intrinsic genetic property of cystic fibrosis cells, and it may be feasible to use this system to study the biochemical basis of the genetic defect in cystic fibrosis.
Model studies of enzymatic NH2-terminal acetylation of porteins with des-Nalpha1-acetyl-alpha-melanotropin as a substrate.
Authors: Granger M , Tesser G I , De Jong W W , Bloemendal H
Published: May 2006

The present study describes the acetylation by an enzyme present in calf lens of a synthetic tridecapeptide [analogous to alpha-melanotropin (alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone) but lacking the naturally occurring NH2-terminal acetyl group: des-Nalpha1-Ac-alpha-melanotropin]. The reaction is specific for the alpha-amino group of the NH2-terminal amino acid. The minimum length required for the substrate to become acetylated appears to be a sequence of five to eight amino acid residues. Modification of the internal lysine decreases the incorporation of acetate, irrespective of the size of the blocking group.
Myosin-paramyosin cofilaments: enzymatic interactions with F-actin.
Authors: Epstein H F , Aronow B J , Harris H E
Published: May 2006

The interaction between paramyosin and myosin has been studied by enzymological methods. Clam adductor paramyosin inhibits the actin-activated, Mg2+-requiring ATPase of both clam adductor and rabbit skeletal muscle myosins. Myosin and paramyosin must be rapidly coprecipitated for this inhibition. Incubation with F-actin in the absence of ATP does not alter this effect. This inhibition follows a hyperbolic function with respect to paramyosin concentration. Slow precipitation by dialysis of myosin and paramyosin together leads to copolymers with actin-activated ATPase equivalent to that of slowly formed myosin filaments. Both kinds of slowly formed filaments have enzymatic properties distinct from those of the rapidly precipitated proteins. Paramyosin is competitive with F-actin for their effects upon myosin. The apparent affinity of myosin for F-actin is markedly reduced by association with paramyosin, but the extrapolated maximal velocity of actomyosin is unaffected. The specificity of this inhibition is strongly suggested by marked quantitative differences between native and cleaved paramyosins. No inhibition of intrinsic myosin ATPase by paramyosin is seen. These studies suggest that at least two types of condition-dependent association between myosin and paramyosin are possible. One class of interactions is associated with enzymic inhibition in rapidly coprecipitated filaments, whereas slowly formed cofilaments exhibit catalytic activity similar to that of identically treat-d myosin and have a characteristic 14.5 nm axial repeat.
A major species of mammalian messenger RNA lacking a polyadenylate segment.
Authors: Sonenshein G E , Geoghegan T E , Brawerman G
Published: May 2006

Translation of total polysomal RNA from sarcoma 180 ascites cells in a wheat germ cell-free system produces two major polypeptides, A and B, with molecular weights of 50,000 and 45,000, respectively. Fractionation on Millipore filters or on oligo(dT)-cellulose leads to retention of the mRNA specific for protein A in the poly(A)-containing fraction and to accumulation of the B mRNA in the unadsorbed poly(A)-deficient fraction. The mRNA for B sediments at approximately 18 S; it is released as a 50S ribonucleorprotein upon EDTA treatment of polysomes. Its translation is particularly sensitive to an inhibitor present in the polysomal RNA. The poly(A)-deficient mRNA for the 45,000 dalton polypeptide is also present in mouse myeloma MPC-11 cells, where it seems to be localized in membrane-bound polysomes.
Incorporation of adenosine into ATP: formation of compartmentalized ATP.
Authors: Rapaport E , Zamecnik P C
Published: May 2006

The incorporation of [3H]adenosine, [3H]adenine, and [3H]hypoxanthine into adenine nucleotides of nude (athymic) mouse liver and human hepatoma grown subcutaneously in nude mice was studied. 3H and 32P radioactive labeling in vivo of acid-soluble nucleotides followed by chromatographic procedures indicated that, in contrast to [3H]adenine and [3H]hypoxanthine, [3H]adenosine is preferentially incorporated into ATP in comparison with its incorporation into AMP and ADP. This phenomenon, as well as complementing the recently reported 3-fold increase in total cellular ATP upon treatmen- with 0.5-1.0 mM concentrations of adenosine, indicates the formation from adenosine of compartmentalized ATP that is not produced from either adenine or hypoxanthine. The observed effect is of larger magnitude in the growth-arrested normal liver than in the actively growing tumor.
Covalent modification of proteins by metabolites of NAD+.
Authors: Kun E , Chang A C , Sharma M L , Ferro A M , Nitecki D
Published: May 2006

Covalently bound adducts of ply(L-lysine), bovine serum albumin, lysine rich histone (f1) and deoxyribonucleotidase I (DNase, EC 3.1.4.5) with adenosine diphosphoribose and ribose-5-phosphate were prepared at pH 7.4 and 9.5. Macromolecular adducts of bovine serum albumin and histone (f1) were isolated by gel filtration and electrophoresis. Reduction of products by NaBH4 did not dissociate the ribose-5-phosphate moiety from macromolecules. Specific introduction of 3H into the adducts also indicated Schiff base formation. The reaction of ribose-5-phosphate with epsilon-amino groups of histone (f1) approached 70-90% saturation. Spermine and spermidine also react with adenosine diphosphoribose and ribose-5-phosphate to form 1:1 Schiff bases. It is proposed that high turnover of cellular NAD+ is the source of aldehydic metabolites which may regulate macromolecular metabolism by covalent modification of nuclear proteins, whereas polyamines serve as modulators of this control cycle.
A general method for cloning eukaryotic structural gene sequences.
Authors: Higuchi R , Paddock G V , Wall R , Salser W
Published: May 2006

Complementary DNA, transcribed in vitro from purified rabbit globin messenger RNA and made double-stranded, has been inserted into Escherichia coli plasmids pSC101 and pMB9 by the poly(dT)/poly(dA) "tailing" and annealing technique. E. coli transformants given by this DNA preparation have been shown to contain globin sequences by the hybridization of globin RNA to DNA from clones grown and lysed in situ on nitrocellulose filters. An estimate of the amount of inserted globin sequences has been provided by fingerprint analysis of globin mRNA sequences hybridized to the purified plasmid chimeras. Inserted sequences so far subjected to detailed analysis have been ascribed to the rabbit beta globin chain. The susceptibility of inserted beta globin, sequences to the restriction endonuclease EcoRI confirms the existence of a site already found through previous nucleotide sequence analysis.
Effect of sugars on early biochemical events in development of Dictyostelium discoideum.
Authors: Rahmsdorf H J , Cailla H L , Spitz E , Moran M J , Rickenberg H V
Published: May 2006

Metabolizable sugars blocked development of the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum; the same sugars also inhibited the formation of contact sites "A", of membranal 3':5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-binding sites, and of total cAMP phosphodoesterase (3':5'-cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase; EC 3.1.4.17; 3':5'-cyclic-nucleotide 5'-nucleotidohydrolase). These inhibitory effects of the sugars on the synthesis of cellular components, required for the aggregation of developing amebae, were paralleled by an inhibition of the accumulation of cAMP which normally accompanies development. The inhibition by sugars could be overcome partially by pulsing the amebae with nanomolar concentrations of cAMP only after the amebae had acquired cAMP-binding sites. The findings suggest that metabolizable sugars inhibit development by blocking the formation of cAMP and, conversely, that development in D. discoideum may be related to the energetic state of the cell.
Asynchronous synthesis of erythrocyte membrane proteins.
Authors: Chang H , Langer P J , Lodish H F
Published: May 2006

The synthesis of membrane proteins of the mature mouse erythrocyte is asynchronous. During erythropoiesis, synthesis of the bulk of the spectrin and actin polypeptides is completed before that of the major transmembrane glycoprotein. Synthesis of the glycoprotein ceases before that of several minor proteins found on the inner surface of the red cell membrane, and one of these minor proteins is made predominantly by reticulocytes. These findings were the result of experiments in which a normal mouse was given a single injection of [35S]methionine. The appearance of radioactivity in the membrane proteins of circulating mature erythrocytes was followed. The earliest labeled proteins to emerge into the blood represent those synthesized at the last stages of erythropoiesis.
Isolation of homozygous mutants after induced self-fertilization in Tetrahymena.
Authors: Bruns P J , Brussard T B , Kavka A B
Published: May 2006

Genomic exclusion, an unusual cytogenetic sequence during mating in Tetrahymena pyriformis, results in the production of homozygous germinal nuclei by the diploidization of haploid nuclei following meiosis. A method is presented for selecting cells that have made new somatic nuclei from these homozygous germinal nuclei, a step necessary for phenotypic expression of new mutations; this variation of the normal set of events is termed short-circuit genomic exclusion. The utility of thisapproach for obtaining induced mutations is demonstrated by the isolation and analysis of a strain homozygous for a recessive mutation conferring resistance to 2-fluoroadenosine. Occurring in about 5% of the unmutagenized pairs in specific crosses, short-circuit genomic exclusion should be of general use for the isolation of dominant or recessive induced mutations in this protozoan.
Effect of 3':5'-cyclic GMP derivatives on the formation of Caulobacter surface structures.
Authors: Kurn N , Shapiro L
Published: May 2006

Exogenous derivatives of 3':5'-cyclic GMP, 8-bromo- and N2,O2'-dibutyryl cyclic GMP, coordinately repress surface structure differentiation in Caulobacter crescentus. Growth in the presence of cyclic GMP derivatives resulted in the loss of flagella and pili formation and concomitant resistance to both DNA phage phiCbK and RNA phage phiCb5 infection without affecting growth rate, stalk formation, and equatorial cell division. The effect of cyclic GMP derivatives was shown to be the repression of synthesis of specific structural proteins. This effect could be reversed by exogenous N6,O2'-dibutyryl 3':5'-cyclic AMP, and mutants resistant to repression by cyclic GMP derivatives exhibited a pleiotropic phenotype affecting a cyclic AMP-mediated event.
Enzymatic conversion of proteins to glycoproteins.
Authors: Pless D D , Lennarz W J
Published: May 2006

The enzymatic transfer of the oligosaccharide moiety from an oligosaccharide-lipid to denatured forms of three secretory proteins--ovalbumin, alpha-lactalbumin, and ribonuclease A--has been demonstrated utilizing a membrane fraction from hen oviduct. Based on a survey of 10 proteins denatured by sulfitolysis, the presence of the tripeptide sequence -Asn-X-Thr-Ser- (X represents a variable amino acid) appears to be necessary but not sufficient for the protein to serve as acceptor in vitro. The results of this investigation also suggest that unfolding of the polypeptide chain is required in order to expose sites for carbohydrate attachment.
Protein-sugar interactions: preparation, purification, and properties of rabbit antibodies against di-N-acetylchitobiose.
Authors: Kieda C M , Delmotte F M , Monsigny M L
Published: May 2006

Antibodies against di-N-acetylchitobiose (CB) were raised in rabbits after injection of CB-bovine serum albumin conjugates and were fractionated by columns into two classes: the first bound to a column of Sepharose covalently coupled with N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc); the second bound to a column coupled with CB. Active antibodies were eluted by a moderate concentration of a chaotropic agent, but not by high ionic strength buffers or acidic buffers. The active fractions were identified as IgG by ultracentrifugation and immuno-electrophoresis. These antibodies gave precipitation bands with CB-protein conjugates and this reaction could be reversed in the presence of free CB. The GlcNAc-bound fraction quantitatively quenched the fluorescence of O-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-glucosides of GlcNAc and CB, while the CB-bound fraction quenched only the glycoside of CB; other O-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-glucosides were not quenched. Among eleven monosaccharides and oligosaccharides, only GlcNAc, CB, and tri-N-acetylchitotriose were able to inhibit the precipitation of antibodies against CB with CB-protein conjugate. These antibodies failed to agglutinate erythrocytes from various species but did agglutinate transformed cells and mouse lymphocytes. The binding of these antibodies on cell lembranes was reversed by free CB and by CB-protein conjugates. The properties of these antibodies are related to those of lectins with similar specificities and to the structure of glycoconjugates.
Electronic properties of the casein-methylglyoxal complex.
Authors: Pethig R , Szent-Györgyi A
Published: May 2006

Measurements of the electron spin resonance, direct current conductivity, microwave permittivity, and electronic transference number are reported for the brown casein-methylglyoxal complex. Compared with normal white casein, the colored casein complex exhibits an increased electronic activity. This is considered to arise from the electron-accepting action of the methylglyoxal in separating electronic charge from an otherwise completely occupied electronic ground state of the casein macromolecule.
Phosphorylation of membrane proteins at a cholinergic synapse.
Authors: Gordon A S , Davis C G , Diamond I
Published: May 2006

Endogenous membrane protein kinase activity and protein kinase substrates have been found in membrane fractions enriched in the acetylcholine receptor that were prepared from the electric organ of Torpedo californica. Phosphorylation of four polypeptides is stimulated 9-fold by K+. The specific cholinergic ligand, carbachol, inhibited phosphorylation of these four polypeptides by 72% in the presence of 1mM Na+ and 100 mM K+. The 65,000-dalton component of the acetylcholine receptor in the membrane fraction appears to be phosphorylated by the endogenous protein kinase. These results suggest that protein phosphorylation may play an important role in synaptic events at nicotinic cholinergic synapses.
Glucose homeostasis during prolonged suppression of glucagon and insulin secretion by somatostatin.
Authors: Sherwin R S , Hendler R , DeFronzo R , Wahren J , Felic P
Published: May 2006

Somatostatin was infused for 5-8 hr into five normal men and eleven normal, conscious dogs. This infusion resulted in a persistent decline in plasma glucagon (40-60%) and insulin (30-45%). Plasma gluccose fell 15-25% during the initial 1-2 hr, but subsequently rose to hyperglycemic levels (130-155 mg/100ml) by 3-6 hr, despite persistent hypoglucagonemia. Glucose production initially declined by 40-50%, but later rose to levels 15-20% above basal rates while peripheral glucose utilization fell to levels 20-30% below basal, thereby accounting for hyperglycemia. Infusion of exogenous insulin so as to restore plasma insulin to preinfusion values or cessation of the somatostatin infusion with restoration of endogenous insulin secretion resulted in a prompt reduction of plasma glucose to baseline values. Prevention of the initial somatostatin-induced hypoglycemic response by intravenous infusion of glucose failed to prevent the delayed hyperglycemia. We conclude that somatostatin caused only transient hypoglycemia in normal subjects and that hyperglycemia eventually developes as a consequence of insulin deficiency. These data indicate that basal glucagon secretion is not essential for the development of fasting hyperglycemia and support the conclusion that insulin deficiency rather than glucagon excess is the primary factor responsible for abnormal glucose homeostasis in the diabetic.
Rauscher-leukemia-virus-related sequences in human DNA: presence in some tissues of some patients with hemotopoietic neoplasias and absence in DNA from other tissues.
Authors: Aulakh G S , Gallo R C
Published: May 2006

A [3H[cDNA probe synthesized from the RNA genome of Rauscher murine leukemia virus (MuLVR) and purified by hybridization to MuLVR70S RNA was hybridized to DNA from human normal and hemotopoietic neoplasia tissues. This cDNA hybridized completely to its homologous 70S RNA and was free of self-complementary sequences. Sequences complementary to MuLVR cDNA were found in DNA from tissues of some patients with leukemia (2 of 8), Hodgkin's disease (3 of 10), and one patient with multiple myeloma. DNA from spleen and kidney of a patient with nonneoplastic disease did not contain detectable MuLVR-related sequences. These virus-related sequences in the DNA from these neoplastic tissues were related but not identical to MuLVR sequences because differences of approximately 6 degrees in the midpoints of thermal elution profiles were found between the heterologous and homologous duplexes. These nucleotide sequences are not the same as the proviral sequences of baboon type-C virus previously found from some other patients with leukemia [Reitz et al. (1976) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 73,2113-2117; Wong-Staal et al. (1976) Nature 262, 190-195], because there is no sequence homology between nucleic acids from MuLVR and baboon virus. The absence of these nucleic acid sequences in many tissues of patients with neoplasia and from the few tissues examined from people with nonneoplastic disease suggests that they are not endogenous elements but are acquired after fertilization. Taken together with the previous detection of baboon and woolly monkey type-C viral related components in some human tumors, the results suggest acquisition of at least three types of type-C viral sequences in the human population.
Nucleotide sequence of the 5' end of araBAD operon messenger RNA in Escherichia coli B/r.
Authors: Lee N , Carbon J
Published: May 2006

The transcription reaction in vitro provides a means of analyzing the nucleotide sequence of the mRNA of the araBAD operon. By controlling the time of synthesis, we obtained araBAD mRNA of varying lengths beginning from the 5' end. These 5' fragments were freed of lambda RNA transcripts by successive hybridizations to the sense strands of a pair of lambda ara transducing phages that carry ara genes in opposite orientations. The purified 5' fragments were ordered by their times of appearance during synchronized RNA elongation and by nearest neighbor analyses. The results, when combined with the knowledge of the NH2-terminal sequence of the product of the first cistron (L-ribulokinase gene araB), establish the nucleotide sequence of the first 69 bases at the 5' end of the araBAD operon mRNA. The AUG starter codon for L-ribulokinase is located at positions 29-31. The sequence is: 5' A-C-C-C-G-U-U-U-U-U-U-U-U-G-G-A-U-G-G-A-G-U-G-A-A-A-C-G-A-U-G-G-C-G-A-U-U-G-C-A-A-U-U-G-G-C-C-U-C-G-A-U-U-U-U-G-C-A-G-U-G-A-U-U-C-U-G-(U)-. . .3'.
A soluble ATP-dependent proteolytic system responsible for the degradation of abnormal proteins in reticulocytes.
Authors: Etlinger J D , Goldberg A L
Published: May 2006

Reticulocytes, like other cells, selectively degrade certain abnormal proteins by an energy-dependent process. When isolated rabbit reticulocytes incorporate the valine analog 2-amino-3chlorobutyric acid (ClAbu) in place of valine, they produce an abnormal globin that is degraded with a half-life of 15 min. Normal hemoglobin, in contrast, undergoes little or no breakdown within these cells. Cell-free extracts from reticulocytes have been shown to rapidly hydrolyze these abnormal proteins. The degradative system is located in the 100,000 X g supernatant, has a pH optimum of 7.8, and does not appear to be of lysosomal origin. This breakdown of analog-containing protein was stimulated severalfold by ATP, and slightly by ADP. AMP and adenosine-3':5'-cyclic monophosphate had no significant effect on proteolysis. Experiments with ATP analogs suggest that the terminal high energy phosphate is important in the degradative process. Proteolysis in the cell-free system and in intact reticulocytes was inhibited by the same agents (L-l-tosylamido-2-phenyl-ethylchloromethyl ketone, N-alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone, N-ethylmaleimide, iodoacetamide, and o-phenanthroline). In addition, the relative rates of degradation of several polypeptides in the cell-free extracts paralleled degradatives rates within cells. Thus, a soluble nonlysosomal proteolytic system appears responsible for the energy-dependent degradation of abnormal proteins in reticulocytes.
Ordering of cyanogen bromide peptides of type III collagen based on their homology to type I collagen: preservation of sites for crosslink formation during evolution.
Authors: Fietzek P P , Allmann H , Rauterberg J , Wachter E
Published: May 2006

The order of the cyanogen-bromide-derived peptides from alpha 1 (III) chains of pepsin-solubilized calf skin collagen was found to be 3A-3B-3C-7-6-1,8,2-4-5-9A-9B. The amino-acid sequences of the NH2-terminal region of all peptides were determined by Edman's automated degradation procedure. The alignment of the peptides along the peptide chain was established by searching for the best homology between the partial sequences of the cyanogen bromide peptides from the alpha 1 (III) chain and the completely known sequence of the alpha 1 (I) chain. Characterization of three cyanogen-bromide-derived double peptides provided confirmation of the deduced order. A sequence Gly-Met-Hyl-Gly-His-Arg-Gly-Phe- was established near the NH2-terminus and a sequence Gly-Ile-Hyl-Gly-His-Arg-Gly-Phe near the COOH-terminus of the alpha 1(III) chain. Identical sequences have been found in the corresponding regions of the alph 1(I) chain. They include hydroxylysine, a site for intermolecular crosslink formation. Because these sequences are conserved during evolution of the collagen molecule, they are probably important for collagen structure and function.
Dopaminergic stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation and parathyroid hormone release from dispersed bovine parathyroid cells
Authors: Brown E. M. , Carroll R. J. , Aurbach G. D.
Published: May 2006

The effects of dopaminergic agonists and antagonists have been studied in dispersed bovine parathyroid cells. Dopaminergic agonists caused a transient 20- to 40-fold increase in cellular cyclic AMP and a 2- to 3-fold increase in parathyroid hormone release. Dose-response relationships were similar for cyclic AMP accumulation and hormone release, whether studied by increasing agonist concentration or by increasing concentration of antagonist with constant agonist. The effects on the dopamine receptor could be differentiated from those of the previously characterized β-adrenergic receptor by specific inhibitors. These results appear to represent proof with a homogeneous cell population that dopaminergic receptors linked to adenylate cyclase can regulate a secretory process mediated by cyclic AMP. This system should be useful in further studies on dopamine receptors and should provide a valid tool for determining interactions of radiolabeled ligands with such receptors.
Loop structures in hybrids of early RNA and the separated strands of adenovirus DNA.
Authors: Kitchingman G R , Lai S P , Westphal H
Published: May 2006

Separated strands of adenovirus DNA were annealed with early cytoplasmic RNA and visualized in the electron microscope. DNA-RNA duplex regions within the DNA filaments could be recognized by their heavy contour. This contour was often interrupted at distinct locations by loops of displaced, single-stranded DNA. Loops have been observed and mapped in all four early regions of the genome. The structures appear to signal hitherto unknown mechanisms of eukaryotic gene expression.