bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of the ability of insulin to activate the glucose-transport system in rat adipocytes
Authors: Olefsky J M
Published: August 2015

Isolated rat adipocytes were used to assess the mechanisms of the ability of insulin to accelerate glucose transport. Glucose transport was determined by measuring the initial rates of 2-deoxyglucose uptake, and at 24 degrees C insulin increased the Vmax. of transport from 7.3 +/- 1 to 23.1 +/- 2 nmol/min per 10(6) cells, but the Km value remained unchanged (2.5, cf. 2.4 mM). When the Vmax. of basal and insulin-stimulated transport was measured as a function of temperature (15-37 degrees C), parallel Arrhenius plots were obtained yielding equal activation energies of approx. 59kJ/mol. Since both processes have equal activation energies the data indicate that insulin increases Vmax. by increasing the number of available carriers rather than enhancing intrinsic activity of already functioning carriers. Since the ability of insulin to activate glucose transport did not decrease with temperature (whereas plasma-membrane fluidity declines), it is suggested that lateral diffusion of insulin receptors within the plasma-membrane bilayer is not a rat-determining step in insulin action.
The regulation and glutamate metabolism by tricarboxylic acid-cycle activity in rat brain mitochondria
Authors: Dennis Steven C. , Clark John B.
Published: August 2015

1. The interrelationship of metabolism of pyruvate or 3-hydroxybutyrate and glutamate transamination in rat brain mitochondria was studied. 2. If brain mitochondria are incubated in the presence of equimolar concentrations of pyruvate and glutamate and the K+ concentration is increased from 1 to 20mm, the rate of pyruvate utilization is increased 3-fold, but the rate of production of aspartate and 2-oxoglutarate is decreased by half. 3. Brain mitochondria incubated in the presence of a fixed concentration of glutamate (0.87 or 8.7mm) but different concentrations of pyruvate (0 to 1mm) produce aspartate at rates that decrease as the pyruvate concentration is increased. At 1mm-pyruvate, the rate of aspartate production is decreased to 40% of that when zero pyruvate was present. 4. Brain mitochondria incubated in the presence of glutamate and malate alone produce 2-oxoglutarate at rates stoicheiometric with the rate of aspartate production. Both the 2-oxoglutarate and aspartate accumulate extramitochondrially. 5. Externally added 2-oxoglutarate has little inhibitory effect (Ki approx. 31mm) on the production of aspartate from glutamate by rat brain mitochondria. 6. It is concluded that the inhibitory effect of increased C2 flux into the tricarboxylic acid cycle on glutamate transamination is caused by competition for oxaloacetate between the transaminase and citrate synthase. 7. Evidence is provided from a reconstituted malate–aspartate (or Borst) cycle with brain mitochondria that increased C2 flux into the tricarboxylic acid cycle from pyruvate may inhibit the reoxidation of exogenous NADH. These results are discussed in the light of the relationship between glycolysis and reoxidation of cytosolic NADH by the Borst cycle and the requirement of the brain for a continuous supply of energy.
Stimulation of pyruvate transport in metabolizing mitochondria through changes in the transmembrane pH gradient induced by glucagon treatment of rats
Authors: Halestrap A P
Published: August 2015

Glucagon treatment of rats allowed the isolation of liver mitochondria with enhanced rates of pyruvate metabolism measured in either sucrose or KCl media. No change in the activity of the pyruvate carrier itself was apparent, but under metabolizing conditions, use of the inhibitor of pyruvate transport, alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate, demonstrated that pyruvate transport limited the rate of pyruvate metabolism. The maximum rate of transport under metabolizing conditions was enhanced by glucagon treatment. Problems involved in measuring the transmembrane pH gradient under metabolizing conditions are discussed and a variety of techniques are used to estimate the matrix pH. From the distribution of methylamine, ammonia and D-lactate and the Ki for inhibition by alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate it is concluded that the matrix is more acid than the medium and that the pH of the matrix rises after glucagon treatment. The increase in matrix pH stimulates pyruvate transport. The membrane potential, ATP concentration and O2 uptake were also increased under metabolizing conditions in glucagon-treated mitochondria. These changes were correlated with a stimulation of the respiratory chain which can be observed in uncoupled mitochondria [Yamazaki (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 7924–7930]. The mitochondrial Mg2+ content (mean +/- S.E.M.) was increased from 38.8 +/- 1.2 (n = 26) to 47.5 +/- 2.0 (n = 26) ng-atoms/mg by glucagon and the K+ content from 126.7 +/- 10.3 (n = 19) ng-atoms/mg. This may represent a change in membrane potential induced by glucagon in vivo. The physiological significance of these results in the control of gluconeogenesis is discussed.
Characterization of proteins structurally related to human N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase
Authors: Carroll M
Published: August 2015

Those proteins of human liver that cross-reacted with antibodies raised to apparently homogenous hexosamindases A and B were detected by immunodiffusion. Cross-reacting proteins with high molecular weights (greater than 2000000) and intermediate molecular weights (70000–200000) were present both in the unadsorbed fraction and in the 0.05–0.2M-NaCl eluate obtained by DEAE-cellulose chromatography at pH7.0. The unadsorbed fraction also contained a cross-reacting protein of low molecular weight (10000–70000). The possible structural and functional relationships between hexosaminidase and the cross-reacting proteins are discussed. An apparently cross-reacting protein present in the 0.05M-NaCl eluate from the DEAE-cellulose column was serologically unrelated to hexosaminidase, but it gave a reaction of immunological identify with one of the apparently cross-reacting proteins having the charge and size characteristics of hexosaminidase A. It is suggested that immunochemical methods may provide criteria for the homogeneity of enzyme preparations superior to those of conventional methods.
Structural studies of wheat monomeric and dimeric protein inhibitors of α-amylase
Authors: Petrucci T , Sannia G , Parlamenti R , Silano V
Published: August 2015

Two wheat monomeric protein inhibitors of alpha-amylase with mol.wt. 12000, designated inhibitors 0.28 and 0.39 according to their gel-electrophoretic mobilities, showed almost identical circular-dichroism spectra in both the far and near u.v. at different pH values as well as in the presence or absence of dissociating and reducing agents. Both inhibitors (0.28 and 0.39) were readily inactivated by reduction of the five disulphide bridges present in each inhibitor molecule. These properties are very similar to those exhibited by the wheat dimeric protein inhibitor of alpha-amylase with mol.wt. 24000, designated inhibitor 0.19 according to its gel-electrophoretic mobility. The N-terminal sequence of the 0.19 inhibitor was determined without separating its subunits and compared with that of the 0.28 inhibitor reported by Redman [(1976) Biochem. J. 155, 193–195]. Petide ‘maps’ from tryptic digests of reduced and carboxymethylated inhibitors 0.19 and 0.28 were compared. One molecule of reducing sugar is covalently bound per inhibitor-0.19 protomer and inhibitor-0.28 molecule. The results obtained strongly support previous findings indicating the structural equivalence of inhibitor 0.28 with each inhibitor-0.19 protomer and the common phylogenetic origin of these protein alpha-amylase inhibitors from wheat kernel.
Inaccuracies in measurement of conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin in bile with ethyl anthranilate diazo and solvent-partition methods
Authors: Ostrow J D , Boonyapisit S T
Published: August 2015

A criticial evaluation was made of the ethyl anthranilate diazo and two solvent-partition methods for the determination of conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin in human and rat bile. The ethyl anthranilate diazo reagent, which reacts only with conjugated bilirubin in serum, also diazotized a variable proportion of unconjugated bilirubin in bile and thus overestimated the concentration of monoconjugates. With the Weber-Schalm and modified Folsch solvent-partition methods applied to human or rat bile, 4–9% of added 14C-labelled unconjugated bilirubin partitioned with the conjugated bilirubin in the upper phase, and 4–9% of added 14C-labelled conjugated bilirubin partitioned into the lower phase. With dog bile, the spill-over of 14C-labelled bilirubin into the lower phase was 9–11%. Analysis of azopigments from the Weber-Schalm partition confirmed that over two-thirds of the bilirubin in the lower phase represents monoconjugates, principally the less-polar monoxylosides and monoglucosides. These solvent-partition methods thus overestimate the concentration of unconjugated bilirubin in bile.
Involvement of deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase β in nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis
Authors: Butt T R , Wood W M , McKay E L , Adams R L P
Published: August 2015

The effects on DNA synthesis in vitro in mouse L929-cell nuclei of differential extraction of DNA polymerases alpha and beta were studied. Removal of all measurable DNA polymerase alpha and 20% of DNA polymerase beta leads to a 40% fall in the replicative DNA synthesis. Removal of 70% of DNA polymerase beta inhibits replicative synthesis by 80%. In all cases the nuclear DNA synthesis is sensitive to N-ethylmaleimide and aCTP (arabinosylcytosine triphosphate), though less so than DNA polymerase alpha. Addition of deoxyribonuclease I to the nuclear incubation leads to synthesis of high-molecular-weight DNA in a repair reaction. This occurs equally in nuclei from non-growing or S-phase cells. The former nuclei lack DNA polymerase alpha and the reaction reflects the sensitivity of DNA polymerase beta to inhibiton by N-ethylmaleimide and aCTP.
Amino acid sequences of α-helical segments from S-carboxymethylkerateine-A. Tryptic and chymotryptic peptides from a type-II segment
Authors: Hogg D M , Dowling L M , Crewther W G
Published: August 2015

1. Amino acid-sequence studies were done on a peptide of mol.wt. approx. 12500 that was isolated from the highly helical fragments obtained by partial chymotryptic digestion of the low-sulphur proteins (S-carboxymethylkerateine-A) from wool. 2. The peptides obtained by tryptic and chymotryptic digestion of this large peptide were separated by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose at pH8.5 with an (NH4)(2)CO(3) concentration gradient and, where necessary, purified further by paper electrophoresis. 3. Determination of the sequences of many of these peptides showed that a high proportion of the cationic residues occurs in pairs. 4. Although two of the four S-carboxymethylcysteine residues are located in what appears to be a non-helical region near the N-terminus the other two S-carboxymethylcysteine residues occur in or near sequences suggesting a helical conformation. 5. Some peptides were obtained, in low yields, that appeared to be homologues of more major ones. These suggest either homologies in the helical portions of the low-sulphur proteins or the presence of closely related amino acid sequences in helical regions of completely different origins. 6. A partial sequence of the complete peptide is proposed.
Amino acid sequences of α-helical segments from S-carboxymethylkerateine-A. Statistical analysis
Authors: Elleman T C , Crewther W G , Van Der Touw J
Published: August 2015

The distribution of the different types of amino acid residue within two helical segments isolated from the low-sulphur fraction of wool keratin was examined for periodicity and larger sequence repeats. Both were detected, the former corresponding to the geometry of the proposed coiled=coil structure and the latter suggesting a distant gene duplication, though the existence of the repeat might equally well be related to interactions within the microfibril.
Purification of rat intestinal maltase/glucoamylase and its anomalous dissociation either by heat or by low pH
Authors: Flanagan P R , Forstner G G
Published: August 2015

Maltase-glucoamylase, a microvillous membrane ectoenzyme, was solubilized from rat intestinal mucosa by digestion with papain and subsequently purified to homogeneity with an overall yield of 10–20%. An antibody to the purified enzyme formed a single precipitin line in immunodiffusion experiments with an intestinal homogenate. The enzyme was shown to be an acidic glycoprotein (20% sugar by weight) which contained low amounts of cysteine and no sialic acid. At pH3–6, maltase activity was slowly lost, but the enzyme was re-activated by re-adjustment of the pH to neutrality. However, in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate, acid pH values inactivated maltase irreversibly, and at the same time converted the enzyme (mol.wt. 500000 approx.) into five new species with apparent molecular weights ranging from 134000 to 480000 as judged by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The same five fragments were also formed by boiling the enzyme for brief periods in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate or urea either with or without reducing agents. The dissociated species were stable on re-electrophoresis, and amino acid analysis showed them to be very similar to each other and to the original enzyme. The bands migrated anomalously on polyacrylamide gels of different concentration, thereby preventing the assignment of precise molecular weights. It is possible that the five species may represent stable aggregates of a common monomer of the enzyme.
Crystal structures of egg-white lysozyme of hen in acetate-free medium and of lysozyme complexes with N-acetylglucosamine and β-methyl N-acetylglucosaminide
Authors: Perkins S J , Johnson L N , Machin P A , Phillips D C
Published: August 2015

The binding of beta-methyl N-acetylglucosaminide (betaMeGlcNAc) to egg-white lysozyme of hen in the tetragonal crystal form was studied by X-ray diffraction techniques to a resolution of 0.25 nm. The binding of the beta-methyl glycoside is almost identical with the binding of beta-N-acetylglucosamine (betaGlcNAc). Real-space refinement of the lysozyme-alpha/beta GlcNAc and lysozyme-betaMeGlcNAc complexes allowed preliminary analysis of the conformational changes observed on binding monosaccharide inhibitors, specially in the region involving tryptophan-62 and residues 70–76. Tetagonal lysozyme crystals, grown in the absence of acetate ions, were examined by X-ray diffraction to 0.25nm resolution. The resulting difference Fourier synthesis shows no firm evidence for bound acetate ions and indicates only minor conformational changes in the side-chain positions of aspartic acid-101 and asparagine-103. The close similarity of the lysozyme structures in the presence and absence of acetate is contrary to expectations from previous n.m.r. studies.
A structural model for desmosine cross-linked peptides
Authors: Mecham R P , Foster J A
Published: August 2015

Desmosine-enriched peptides were isolated from a thermolysin digest of bovine ligamentum nuchae elastin and a partial sequence was determined. A ‘two-cross-link’ model is proposed in which a second cross-link, perhaps lysinonorleucine, joins two peptide chains approx. 35 amino acid residues removed from the desmosine. Implied in this model is a certain asymmetry or directionality which places restrictions on the ‘sense’ of the peptide chains (either always parallel or anti-parallel) in order to align the cross-linking sites. Imposing such restrictions raises the possibility of specific alignment of elastin precursor molecules by microfibrillar proteins and/or aligning peptides on the precursor molecules themselves.
Protein thiolation and reversible protein-protein conjugation. N-Succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate, a new heterobifunctional reagent
Authors: Carlsson J , Drevin H , Axén R
Published: August 2015

A heterobifunctional reagent, N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate, was synthesized. Its N-hydroxysuccinimide ester group reacts with amino groups and the 2-pyridyl disulphide structure reacts with aliphatic thiols. A new thiolation procedure for proteins is based on this reagent. The procedure involves two steps. First, 2-pyridyl disulphide structures are introduced into the protein by the reaction of some of its amino groups with the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester sie of the reagent. The protein-bound 2-pyridyl disulphide structures are then reduced with dithiothreitol. This reaction can be carried out without concomitant reduction of native disulphide bonds. The technique has been used for the introduction of thiol groups de novo into ribonuclease, gamma-globulin, alpha-amylase and horseradish peroxidase. N-Succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate can also be used for the preparation of protein-protein conjugates. This application is based on the fact that protein-2-pyridyl disulphide derivatives (formed from the reaction of non-thiol proteins with the reagent) react with thiol-containing proteins (with native thiols or thiolated by, for example, the method described above) via thiol-disulphide exchange to form disulphide-linked protein-protein conjugates. This conjugation technique has been used for the preparation of an alpha-amylase-urease, a ribonuclease-albumin and a peroxidase-rabbit anti-(human transferrin) antibody conjugate. The disulphide bridges between the protein molecules can easily be split by reduction or by thiol-disulphide exchange. Thus conjugation is reversible. This has been demonstrated by scission of the ribonuclease-albumin and the alpha-amylase-urease conjugate into their components with dithiothreitol. N-Succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate has been prepared in crystalline form, in which state (if protected against humidity) it is stable on storage at room temperature (23 degrees C).
Rapid purification and properties of potassium-activated aldehyde dehydrogenase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Bostian K A , Betts G F
Published: August 2015

A method for the purification of yeast K+-activated aldehyde dehydrogenase is presented which can be completed in substantially less time than other published procedures. The enzyme has a different N-terminal amino acid from preparations previously reported, and other small differences in amino acid content. These differences may be the result of differential proteolytic digestion rather than a different protein in vivo. A purification step involves the biospecific adsorption on affinity columns containing immobilized nucleotides in the absence of the substrate aldehyde. Direct binding studies with the coenzyme in the absence of aldehyde reveal 4 NAD sites per tetrameric molecule, each with a dissociation constant of 120 micron. These results conflict with properties of preparations previously reported and may conflict with kinetic models that have aldehyde as the leading substrate. Binding to Blue Dextran affinity columns suggests the presence of a dinucleotide fold in common with other dehydrogenases and kinases.
Kinetics and reaction mechanism of potassium-activated aldehyde dehydrogenase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Bostian K A , Betts G F
Published: August 2015

Data from steady-state kinetic analysis of yeast K+-activated aldehyde dehydrogenase are consistent with a ternary complex mechanism. Evidence from alternative substrate analysis and product-inhibition studies supports an ordered sequence of substrate binding in which NAD+ is the leading substrate. A preincubation requirement for NAD+ for maximum activity is also consistent with the importance of a binary enzyme-NAD+ complex. Dissociation constant for enzyme-NAD+ complex determined kinetically is in reasonable agreement with that determined by direct binding. The order of substrate addition proposed here differs from that proposed for a yeast aldehyde dehydrogenase previously reported. Different methods of purification produced an enzyme that showed similar kinetic characteristics to those reported here.
Elastin cross-linking in vitro. Studies on factors influencing the formation of desmosines by lysyl oxidase action on tropoelastin
Authors: Narayanan A S , Page R C , Kuzan F , Cooper C G
Published: August 2015

The formation of isodesmosine and desmosine in vitro by the action of lysyl oxidase on tropoelastin was studied. The synthesis of desmosines occurred in the absence of additional substances. The formation of desmosines was not affected by removal of molecular O2 from the reaction medium nor was it affected by the lack of proline hydroxylation in tropoelastin. However, there was virtually no desmosine formation at 15 degrees C, a temperature not conducive to coacervation, indicating that coacervation is an important prerequisite for cross-linking.
Properties of human tissue isoferritins
Authors: Wagstaff M , Worwood M , Jacobs A
Published: August 2015

1. Human liver ferritin was separated by preparative isoelectric focusing into six fractions. 2. Except for the least acidic fraction the reactivity with antibody against spleen ferritin increased with rising pI, but with antibody against heart ferritin the reactivity decreased. 3. The highest iron content was found in the most acidic isoferritins and progressively decreased with rising pI. 4. Iron uptake was studied in apoferritin prepared from heart and liver ferritin fractions separated by ion-exchange chromatography. There was good correlation between the rate of iron uptake and pI. The most acidic fractions took up iron more rapidly than did the more basic ones. 5. Ferritin was prepared from heart, liver, spleen and kidney. There was little difference on isoelectric focusing between ferritin obtained from normal tissues and the corresponding iron-loaded tissues from patients who had received multiple blood transfusions. The iron-loaked heart ferritin invariably contained relatively more of the basic isoferritins. Normal and iron-overloaded heart ferritins were separated into isoferritin fractions by ion-exchange chromatography, and in each case there was a fall in iron content as the pI increased. The iron content of ferritin from the iron-overloaded heart was higher throughout than that from normal heart. 6. There is a relationship between the rate of iron uptake by apoferritin and pI, and this probably accounts for the variation in iron content of the isoferritins found in human liver and heart.
The effects of digestive enzymes on characteristics of placental insulin receptor. Comparison of particulate and soluble receptor preparations
Authors: Clark S , DeLuise M , Larkins R G , Melick R A , Harrison L C
Published: August 2015

The role of the surrounding membrane structure on the binding characteristics of the insulin receptor was studied by using several digestive enzymes. The effects observed with particulate membrane preparations are compared with those from soluble receptor preparations. beta-Galactosidase and neuraminidase had no effect on insulin binding to either particulate or soluble receptors from human placentae. Exposure to 2 units of phospholipase C/ml increased insulin binding to particulate membranes, but was without effect on the soluble receptor preparation. The increase in binding to particulate membranes was shown to be due to an increase in apparent receptor number. After 5 min exposure to 500 microgram of trypsin/ml there was an increase in insulin binding to the particulate membrane fraction, owing to an increase in receptor affinity. After 15 min exposure to this amount of trypsin, binding decreased, owing to a progressive decrease in receptor availability. In contrast, this concentration of trypsin had no effect on the solubilized receptor preparation. Because of the differential effects of phospholipase C and trypsin on the particulate compared with the solubilized receptor preparations, it is concluded that the effects of these enzymes were due to an effect on the surrounding membrane structure. Changes in receptor configuration due to alterations within the adjoining membrane provide a potential mechanism for mediating short-term alterations in receptor function.
The transport of α-aminoisobutyrate into Crithidia fasciculata
Authors: Midgley M
Published: August 2015

The transport of alpha-aminoisobutyrate into Crithidia fasciculata was characterized under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Kinetic data for alpha-aminoisobutyrate transport were consistent with the operation of a single system of broad specificity that showed no marked dependence on Na+. Under anaerobic conditions alpha-aminoisobutyrate transport was inhibited by uncouplers such as 2,4-dinitrophenol, lipophilic cations such as methyltriphenylphosphonium ion and adenosine triphosphatase inhibitors such as dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide and NaN3. A working model in which alpha-aminoisobutyrate enters this organism by an H+-symport mechanism, the electrochemical gradient of protons being maintained by an H+-translocating adenosine triphosphatase on the cytoplasmic membrane, is proposed.
Phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate in the mitochondrial matrix
Authors: Krebs H A , Wiggins D
Published: August 2015

The origin of the GTP needed for th phosphorylation of AMP in the mitochondrial matrix was investigated. When short-chain fatty acids are metabolized by hepatocytes, AMP is readily formed within the matrix by the butyryl-CoA ligase (AMP-forming) reaction (EC 6.2.1.2). The rate of matrix AMP formation in rat hepatocytes was calculated from the rate of ketone-body formation. The rate of the reconversion of matrix AMP into ADP by GTP-AMP transphosphorylase is limited by the rate of supply of GTP. GTP can be formed either by succinic thiokinase (EC 6.2.1.4) or by nucleoside diphosphokinase (EC 2.7.4.6). The rate of the succinic thiokinase reaction was calculated from turnover of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and this was calculated from the rate of O2 consumption and ketone-body formation. The results show that nucleoside diphosphokinase can make a major contribution (up to 80%) to the supply of GTP under the test conditions.
Glutamine metabolism in the kidney during induction of, and recovery from, metabolic acidosis in the rat
Authors: Parry David M. , Brosnan John T.
Published: August 2015

Experiments were carried out on rats to evaluate the possible regulatory roles of renal glutaminase activity, mitochondrial permeability to glutamine, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity and systemic acid–base changes in the control of renal ammonia (NH3 plus NH4+) production. Acidosis was induced by drinking NH4Cl solution ad libitum. A pronounced metabolic acidosis without respiratory compensation [pH=7.25; HCO3−=16.9mequiv./litre; pCO2=40.7mmHg (5.41kPa)] was evident for the first 2 days, but thereafter acid–base status returned towards normal. This improvement in acid–base status was accompanied by the attainment of maximal rates of ammonia excretion (onset phase) after about 2 days. A steady rate of ammonia excretion was then maintained (plateau phase) until the rats were supplied with tap water in place of the NH4Cl solution, whereupon pCO2 and HCO3− became elevated [55.4mmHg (7.37kPa) and 35.5mequiv./litre] and renal ammonia excretion returned to control values within 1 day (recovery phase). Renal arteriovenous differences for glutamine always paralleled rates of ammonia excretion. Phosphate-dependent glutaminase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activities and the rate of glutamine metabolism (NH3 production and O2 consumption) by isolated kidney mitochondria all increased during the onset phase. The increases in glutaminase and in mitochondrial metabolism continued into the plateau phase, whereas the increase in the carboxykinase reached a plateau at the same time as did ammonia excretion. During the recovery phase a rapid decrease in carboxykinase activity accompanied the decrease in ammonia excretion, whereas glutaminase and mitochondrial glutamine metabolism in vitro remained elevated. The metabolism of glutamine by kidney-cortex slices (ammonia, glutamate and glucose production) paralleled the metabolism of glutamine in vivo during recovery, i.e. it returned to control values. The results indicate that the adaptations in mitochondrial glutamine metabolism must be regulated by extra-mitochondrial factors, since glutamine metabolism in vivo and in slices returns to control values during recovery, whereas the mitochondrial metabolism of glutamine remains elevated.
The distribution of phosphatidylinositol in microsomal membranes from rat liver after biosynthesis de novo. Evidence for the existence of different pools of microsomal phosphatidylinositol by the use of phosphatidylinositol-exchange protein
Authors: Brophy Peter J. , Burbach Peter , Nelemans S. Ad , Westerman Jan , Wirtz Karel W. A. , Van Deenen Laurens L. M.
Published: August 2015

1. The phosphatidylinositol-exchange protein from bovine brain was used to determine to what extent phosphatidylinositol in rat liver microsomal membranes is available for transfer. 2. The microsomal membranes used in the transfer reaction contained either phosphatidyl[2-3H]inositol or 32P-labelled phospholipid. The 32P-labelled microsomal membranes were isolated from rat liver after an intraperitoneal injection of [32P]Pi. The 3H-labelled microsomal membranes and rough- and smooth-endoplasmic-reticulum membranes were prepared in vitro by the incorporation of myo-[2-3H]inositol into phosphatidylinositol by either exchange in the presence of Mn2+ or biosynthesis de novo in the presence of CTP and Mg2+. 3. Tryptic or chymotryptic treatment of the microsomes impaired the biosynthesis de novo of phosphatidylinositol. It was therefore concluded that the biosynthesis of phosphatidylinositol and/or its immediate precursor CDP-diacylglycerol takes place on the cytoplasmic surface of the microsomal membrane. 4. Under the conditions of incubation 42% of the microsomal phosphatidyl[2-3H]inositol was transferred with an estimated half-life of 5min; 38% was transferred with an estimated half-life of about 1h; the remaining 20% was not transferable. Identical results were obtained irrespective of the method of myo-[2-3H]inositol incorporation. 5. Both measurement of phosphatidylinositol phosphorus in the microsomes after transfer and the transfer of microsomal [32P]phosphatidylinositol indicate that phosphatidyl[2-3H]-inositol formed by exchange or biosynthesis de novo was homogeneously distributed throughout the microsomal phosphatidylinositol. 6. We present evidence that the slowly transferable pool of phosphatidylinositol does not represent the luminal side of the microsomal membrane; hence we suggest that this phosphatidylinositol is bound to membrane proteins.
Reconstitution of chlorophyllide formation by isolated etioplast membranes
Authors: Griffiths W T
Published: August 2015

1. The reconstitution of chlorophyllide biosynthesis by barley etioplast membranes is described. 2. The process is dependent on the additon of NADPH and protochlorophyllide and on illumination, which can be either continuous or intermittent. 3. The reconstituted process involves spectroscopically similar intermediates to the native reaction in whole leaves. 4. Steps in the process are an initial enzymic formation in the dark of a photoactive complex, P638/652 (probably a ternary protochlorophyllide-NADPH-enzyme complex), followed by a very rapid light-dependent hydrogen transfer from the NADPH to the protochlorophyllide giving chlorophyllide giving chlorophyllide, finally releasing the enzyme for repeating the process. 5. A continuous assay for the system regenerating complex P638/652 was devised on the basis of monitoring chlorophyllide formation. 6. The pH optimum of the reaction is at 6.9 and Km values for protochlorophyllide and NADPH are 0.46 and 35 micron respectively. 7. The reaction is associated specifically with the etioplast membrane fraction. 8. Activities of the system assayed in vitro are more than adequate to account for rates of chlorophyll formation in vivo.
Influence of mouse age and erythrocyte age on glutathione metabolism
Authors: Abraham E C , Taylor J F , Lang C A
Published: August 2015

In order to determine whether the biological age of a mouse influences erythrocyte metabolism and erythrocyte aging in vivo, blood samples were collected from male C57/BL6J mice of different biological ages ranging from mature (10 months) to “very old” (37 months). In the very old mouse, compared with the mature mouse, the erythrocyte survival time was decreased, erythrocyte densities were increased, the concentrations of total free thiol and reduced glutathione, and glutathione reductase activity were decreased. Erythrocytes were separated into different density (age) groups by phthalate ester two-phase centrifugation or by albumin density-gradient centrifugation. The density-age relationship of erythrocytes was established by pulse-labelling with 59Fe in vivo and by subsequent determinations of specific radioactivity of erythrocyte fractions of different densities prepared during a chase period of 60 days. The age of erythrocytes in mice of all ages was directly related to density. Also, in older erythrocytes compared with younger erythrocytes, decreased concentrations of total free thiol and reduced glutathione, and decreased glutathione reductase activity were observed. These were the lowest in the old erythrocytes of very old mice. These results in aging erythrocytes from aging mice suggest that the glutathione status the erythrocyte may be an index of aging, not only of the cell but also of the organism.
Maximum activities and effects of fructose bisphosphate on pyruvate kinase from muscles of vertebrates and invertebrates in relation to the control of glycolysis
Authors: Zammit Victor A. , Beis Isidorus , Newsholme Eric A.
Published: August 2015

1. Comparison of the maximum activities of pyruvate kinase with those of phosphofructokinase in a large number of muscles from invertebrates and vertebrates indicates that, in general, in any individual muscle, the activity of pyruvate kinase is only severalfold higher than that of phosphofructokinase. This is consistent with the suggestion, based on mass-action ratio data, that the pyruvate kinase reaction is non-equilibrium in muscle. However, the range of activities of pyruvate kinase in these muscles is considerably larger than that of phosphofructokinase. This difference almost disappears if the enzyme activities from muscles that are known to possess an anaerobic ‘succinate pathway’ are excluded. It is suggested that, in these muscles, phosphofructokinase provides glycolytic residues for both pyruvate kinase (i.e. glycolysis) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (i.e. the succinate pathway). This is supported by a negative correlation between the activity ratio, pyruvate kinase/phosphofructokinase, and the activities of nucleoside diphosphokinase in these muscles, since high activities of nucleoside diphosphokinase are considered to indicate the presence of the succinate pathway. 2. The effect of fructose bisphosphate on the activities of pyruvate kinase from many different muscles was studied. The stimulatory effect of fructose bisphosphate appears to be lost whenever an efficient system for supply of oxygen to the muscles is developed (e.g. insects, squids, birds and mammals). This suggests that activation of pyruvate kinase is important in the co-ordinated regulation of glycolysis in anaerobic or hypoxic conditions, when the change in glycolytic flux during the transition from rest to activity needs to be large in order to provide sufficient energy for the contractile activity. However, lack of this effect in the anaerobic muscles of the birds and mammals suggests that another metabolic control may exist for avian and mammalian pyruvate kinase in these muscles.
Dissociation of fibronectin from gelatin-agarose by amino compounds
Authors: Vuento M , Vaheri A
Published: August 2015

Soluble fibronectin of human plasma was specifically dissociated at neutral pH from gelatin-agarose by several cationic amino compounds, notably the polyamines spermine, spermidine and putrescine, the basic amino acid arginine, and amino sugars. The neutral and acidic amino acids and the N-acetylated derivatives of amino sugars tested were ineffective. Gel-filtration experiments demonstrated that [14C]spermidine bound to fibronectin but not to gelatin.
Histidine residues of zinc ligands in β-lactamase II
Authors: Baldwin G S , Galdes A , Hill H A O , Smith B E , Waley S G , Abraham E P
Published: August 2015

1. The Zn(II)-requiring beta-lactamase from Bacillus cereus 569/H/9, which has two zinc-binding sites, was examined by 270 MHz 1H n.m.r. spectroscopy. Resonances were assigned to five histidine residues. 2. Resonances attributed to three of the histidine residues in the apoenzyme shift on the addition of one equivalent of Zn(II). 3. Although these three histidine residues are free to titrate in the apoenzyme, none of them titrates over the pH range 6.0–9.0 in the mono-zinc enzyme. 4. The ability of the C-2 protons of these three histidine residues to exchange with solvent (2H2O) is markedly decreased on Zn(II) binding. 5. It is proposed that these three histidine residues act as zinc ligands at the tighter zinc-binding site. 6. Resonances attributed to a fourth histidine residue shift on addition of further zinc to the mono-zinc enzyme. It is proposed that this histidine residue acts as a Zn(II) ligand at the second zinc-binding site.
Purification and properties of arginase from human liver and erythrocytes
Authors: Berüter J , Colombo J P , Bachmann C
Published: August 2015

Arginase was isolated from human liver and erythrocytes. The purification procedure used acetone precipitation, heat-treatment, (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, DEAE-cellulose chromatography and gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol. Both enzymes migrated to the anode at pH8.3 on polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. After incubation at pH8.0 and 37 degrees C the purified anionic liver arginase migrated to the cathode on polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. It is assumed that the multiple forms of the enzyme reported in the literature are partly artifacts of the purification procedure. The liver arginase showed a mol.wt. of 107000 determined by gel filtration and a sedimentation coefficient of 5.9S. Treatment of the liver enzyme with 0.25% sodium dodecyl sulphate at pH10 demonstrated an oligomeric structure of the enzyme with a mol.wt. of the subunit of 35000. The kinetic properties determined for the purified liver arginase showed an optimum pH of 9.3 and an optimal MnCl2 concentration of 2mM. The Km for L-arginine was 10.5 mM and for L-canavanine 50mM, and L-lysine exhibited a competitive type of inhibition with a Ki of 4.4mM. L-Homoarginine was not a substrate for liver arginase.
Purification of the lectin from Datura stramonium
Authors: Kilpatrick D C , Yeoman M M
Published: August 2015

The lectin from Datura stramonium can be inhibited by oligomers of N-acetylglucosamine. This property was exploited to purify the lectin by affinity chromatography on Sepharosefetuin. The purified lectin is a glycoprotein in having subunits of 40 000 and 45 000 mol.wt.
Control of isocitrate lyase synthesis in Chlorella fusca var. vacuolata. Rate of enzyme synthesis in the presence and absence of acetate measured by [35S]methionine labelling and immunoprecipitation
Authors: Dunham S M , Thurston C F
Published: August 2015

The rate of increase of isocitrate lyase activity was measured in darkened Chlorella fusca var. vaculoata cultures in the presence and absence of acetate and compared with the rate of incorporation of [35S]methionine into isocitrate lyase enzyme protein under the same conditions. Isocitrate lyase enzyme protein was isolated for this purpose by specific immunoprecipitation and sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. After 4h in the dark, in the presence of acetate the rate of increase of isocitrate lyase activity was 75 times that in the absence of acetate. Incorporation of [35S]methionine into isocitrate lyase was 140 times greater in the presence of acetate. Incorporation of [35S]methionine into the trichloroacetic acid-insoluble fraction overall was about five times as fast in the presence of acetate. These data are not consistent with an increased turnover of isocitrate lyase enzyme molecules, sufficient to account for the low rate of increase of isocitrate lyase activity in the absence of acetate. The greater rate of enzyme synthesis in the presence of acetate must therefore be due to some effect of this metabolite on the processing or translation of isocitrate lyase mRNA.
Evidence for the participation of aspartate aminotransferase in hepatic glucose synthesis in the suckling newborn rat
Authors: Ferré P , Williamson D H
Published: August 2015

Inhibition of liver aspartate aminotransferase by L-2-amino-4-methoxy-trans-3-butenoic acid in the suckling newborn rat causes a decrease in all gluconeogenic precursors from phosphoenolpyruvate to glucose and an accumulation of lactate but not of pyruvate. This suggests that the aspartate shuttle is operative and confirms the quantitative importance of lactate as a gluconeogenic precursor at this time during development.
Oxidation of glycine by Phaseolus leghaemoglobin with associated catabolic reactions at the haem
Authors: Lehtovaara P
Published: August 2015

Leghaemoglobin from the root nodules of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) reacts in alkaline glycine solutions as a glycine oxidase in a reaction that may also be regarded as a coupled oxidation. Leghaemoglobin is reduced to the ferrous form by glycinate, the oxygen complex is formed, and finally the haem is attacked to yield a green reaction product. Glycine is simultaneously oxidized to glyoxylate, and hydrogen peroxide is generated. The initial velocity of the formation of the green product is proportional to the concentrations of leghaemoglobin and glycine, and the optimum pH for the reaction is 10.2. The green product is not formed if carbon monoxide, azide of imidazole is bound to the haem, whereas oxidation of glycine to glyoxylate is not inhibited by azide and not essentially by carbon monoxide. Haem breakdown is activated by digestion of leghaemoglobin by carboxypeptidase, and partly inhibited by catalase and superoxide dismutase.
Effects of cholera toxin and guanosine 5′-[βγ-imido]triphosphate on β-adrenergic-receptor affinity
Authors: Fischer J , Sharp G W G
Published: August 2015

A comparison was made of the effects of cholera toxin and p[NH]ppG on the binding affinity of beta-adrenergic receptors in toad erythrocyte membranes. This was determined by studying the ability of isoproterenol and propranolol to compete for the receptor with (-)-[3H]dihydroalprenolol. p[NH]ppG decreased the receptor affinity for the agonist isoproterenol (i.e. a ‘right’ shift in the displacement-concentration curve), but was without effect on the affinity for the antagonist propranolol. Toad erythrocyte membranes after treatment with cholera toxin exhibited increased receptor affinity for isoproterenol (i.e. a ‘left’ shift in the displacement curve), but did not affect the affinity for propranolol. p[NH[ppG was able to exert its right shift even in cholera-toxin treated membranes. The ability of cholera toxin to alter beta-adrenergic-receptor affinity is interpreted as further evidence that the toxin affects the nucleotide-regulatory component of adenylate cyclase. The regulatory component affected may be the catecholamine-sensitive guanosine triphosphatase.
Age-related changes in the composition and structure of human articular-cartilage proteoglycans
Authors: Bayliss M T , Ali S Y
Published: August 2015

1. Analysis of the purified proteoglycans extracted from normal human articular cartilage with 4M-guanidinium chloride showed that there was an age-related increase in their content of protein and keratan sulphate. 2. The hydrodynamic size of the dissociated proteoglycans also decreased with advancing age, but there was little change in the proportion that could aggregate. 3. Results suggested that some extracts of aged-human cartilage had an increased content of hyaluronic acid compared with specimens from younger patients. 4. Dissociated proteoglycans, from cartilage of all age groups, bind to hyaluronic acid and form aggregates in direct proportion to the hyaluronic acid concentration. 5. Electrophoretic heterogeneity of the dissociated proteoglycans was demonstrated on polyacrylamide/agarose gels. The number of proteoglycan species observed was also dependent on the age of the patient.
A chemical-modification approach to the olfactory code. Studies with a thiol-specific reagent
Authors: Menevse Adnan , Dodd George , Poynder T. Michael
Published: August 2015

The effects of thiol-specific reagents on the amplitude of the electro-olfactogram (E.O.G.) responses elicited from frog olfactory mucosa by pulses of odorant vapours was studied. The impermeant thiol-specific reagent mersalyl [(3-{[2-(carboxymethoxy)-benzoyl]amino}-2-methoxypropyl)hydroxymercury monosodium salt] brings about a rapid decrease in the E.O.G. signal obtained with the odorant pentyl acetate. The extent of the decrease is proportional to the concentration of the mersalyl applied and the effect of the reagent is partially but incompletely reversed by treatment of the labelled mucosa with dithiothreitol. The sites labelled by mersalyl can be protected by pretreating the mucosa with a dilute solution of the odorant pentyl acetate and leaving the solution in contact with the tissue after the addition of mersalyl. When the protecting odorant is washed out of the tissue, the original E.O.G. amplitude is regained. Pentyl acetate applied to the mucosa protected the E.O.G. response to vapour pulses of the following odorants from the effects of mersalyl: n-butyric acid, n-butyl acetate, phenylacetaldehyde and cineole (1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane). The pentyl acetate applied to the mucosa failed to protect the E.O.G. response to vapour pulses of the following odorants from the effects of mersalyl: butan-1-ol, benzyl acetate, nitrobenzene, β-ionone and linalyl acetate. The significance of the differential protection effects for the odour-quality-coding mechanism in the olfactory primary neurons is discussed. It is suggested that the olfactory code at this level of the olfactory system may be elucidated by chemical-modification methods.
Metabolism of inorganic sulphate in the isolated perfused rat liver. Effect of sulphate concentration on the rate of sulphation by phenol sulphotransferase
Authors: Mulder Gerard J. , Keulemans Katja
Published: August 2015

1. The metabolism of inorganic [35S]sulphate (Na235SO4) was studied in the isolated perfused rat liver at three initial concentrations of inorganic sulphate in the perfusion medium (0, 0.65 and 1.30mm), in relation to sulphation and glucuronidation of a phenolic drug, harmol (7-hydroxy-1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole). 2. [35S]Sulphate rapidly equilibrated with endogenous sulphate in the liver. It was excreted in bile and reached, at the lowest concentration in the perfusion medium, concentrations in bile that were much higher than those in the perfusion medium; at the higher sulphate concentrations, these concentrations were equal. The physiological concentration of inorganic sulphate in the liver, available for sulphation of drugs, is similar to the plasma concentration. 3. At zero initial inorganic sulphate in the perfusion medium, the rate of sulphation was very low and harmol was mainly glucuronidated. At 0.65mm-sulphate glucuronidation was much decreased and considerable sulphation took place, indicating efficient competition of conjugation by sulphation. At 1.30mm-sulphate the sulphation increased still further. 4. The results suggest that an important factor in sulphation is the relatively high Km of synthesis of adenosine 3′-phosphate 5′-sulphatophosphate (the co-substrate of sulphation) for inorganic sulphate, which is of the order of the plasma concentration of inorganic sulphate. The steady-state adenosine 3′-phosphate 5′-sulphatophosphate concentration may determine the rate of sulphate conjugation of drugs in the rat in vivo.