bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amino acid transport by resealed ghosts from pigeon erythrocytes
Authors: Wheeler K P
Published: August 2015

Resealed ghosts from pigeon erythrocytes were shown to haemolyse during incubation in isotonic media with pH values greater than about 7 and high concentrations of Na+ inside the ghosts seemed to enhance this effect. At lower pH values the ghosts were stable but still highly permeable to Na+ and K+, and moderately permeable to sucrose. Under the latter conditions the ghosts transported amino acids in a way qualitatively but not quantitatively similar to intact erythrocytes. The Na+-dependent transport of serine and alanine by the ghosts consisted essentially of an exchange of extracellular for intracellular amino acids, with no significant net flux. In contrast, net fluxes of glycine in the direction of the Na+-concentration gradient across the ghost membrane were demonstrated. However, under one condition a small net influx of glycine occurred against the prevailing Na+-concentration gradient. Unlike Na+-dependent glycine uptake, the uptake of six other amino acids by intact pigeon erythrocytes was not influenced by the nature of the anion present. The significance of these findings in relation to previous work on the Na+-gradient hypothesis of membrane transport is discussed.
Cytosolic and mitochondrial isoenzymes of branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase during development of the rat
Authors: Kadowaki H , Knox W E
Published: August 2015

The isoenzymic forms of branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase in mitochondria of rat tissues were compared with the better-known cytosolic forms in order to find any regular pattern of expression of these isoenzymes during development. Mitochondria of all tissues examined except brain contained only a type-I isoenzyme differing from the cytosolic type-I isoenzyme in heat stability and activation by mercaptoethanol. Foetal and adult brain mitochondria contained isoenzymes type III as well as type I. The large excess of type-I isoenzyme in foetal liver was localized in mitochondria, apparently of haematopoietic cells. The activity of this isoenzyme declined precipitously (by 80%) from day 19 of gestation at the same period and rate as does the volume fraction of haematopoietic cells that are then leaving the liver. Cortisol treatment accelerated the loss of these cells, and proportionally accelerated loss of the mitochondrial isoenzyme I. A development succession of type-I isoenzyme by the unique type II of liver parenchymal cell cytosols could not be demonstrated, since small, about equal, amounts of types I and II were always present in cytosols of foetal and adult liver. Developmental succession of isoenzymes within tissues was limited to cytosols and was demonstrated by the presence of cytosolic isoenzyme III in foetal and newborn skeletal muscle and kidney, organs which contain only isoenzyme I in the adult.
The SalGI restriction endonuclease. Purification and properties
Authors: Maxwell Anthony , Halford Stephen E.
Published: August 2015

The type II restriction endonuclease SalGI has been purified to near homogeneity. At least 80% of the protein remaining after the final stage of the preparation is SalGI restriction endonuclease; no contaminating nucleases remain detectable. The principal form of the protein under both native and denaturing conditions is a monomer of Mr about 29000. The optimal conditions for both enzyme stability and enzyme activity have been determined.
Role of individual phosphorylation sites in inactivation of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in rat heart mitochondria
Authors: Sale Graham J. , Randle Philip J.
Published: August 2015

1. A method is described using trypsin/formic acid cleavage for unambiguously measuring occupancies of phosphorylation sites in rat heart pyruvate dehydrogenase [32P]phosphate complexes. 2. In mitochondria oxidizing 2-oxoglutarate+l-malate relative initial rates of phosphorylation were site 1>site 2>site 3. 3. Dephosphorylation and reactivation of fully phosphorylated complex was initiated in mitochondria by inhibiting the kinase reaction. Using dichloroacetate relative rates of dephosphorylation were site 2>(1=3). Using sodium dithionite or sodium pyruvate or uncouplers+sodium arsenite or steady state turnover (31P replacing 32P in inactive complex) relative rates were site 2>site 1>site 3. With dithionite reactivation was faster than site 3 dephosphorylation, i.e. site 3 is apparently not inactivating. 4. The steady state proportion of inactive complex was varied (92–48%) in mitochondria oxidizing 2-oxoglutarate/l-malate by increasing extramitochondrial Ca2+ (0–2.6μm). This action of Ca2+ induced dephosphorylation (site 3>site 2>site 1). These experiments enable prediction of site occupancies in vivo for given steady state proportions of inactive complexes. 5. The proportion of inactive complex was related linearly to occupancy of site 1. 6. Sodium dithionite (10mm) and Ca2+ (0.5μm) together resulted in faster dephosphorylations of each site than either agent alone; relative rates were site 2>(1=3). 7. Dephosphorylation and possibly phosphorylation of sites 1 and 2 was not purely sequential as shown by detection of complexes phosphorylated in site 2 but not in site 1. Estimates of the contribution of site 2 phosphorylation to inactivation ranged from 0.7 to 6.4%. 8. It is concluded that the primary function of site 1 phosphorylation is inactivation, phosphorylation of site 2 is not primarily concerned with inactivation and that phosphorylation of site 3 is non-inactivating.
Partial purification of collagenase and gelatinase from human polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Analysis of their actions on soluble and insoluble collagens
Authors: Murphy G , Reynolds J J , Bretz U , Baggiolini M
Published: August 2015

The separation and further purification of human polymorphonuclear-leucocyte collagenase and gelatinase, using modifications of the method of Cawston & Tyler [(1979) Biochem J. 183, 647-656], are described. The final preparations yielded collagenase of specific activity 260 units/mg and gelatinase of specific activity 13 000 units/mg. Gelatinase was purified to apparent homogeneity in a latent form, and analysis of the activation of 125I-labelled latent enzyme by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and gel-filtration techniques suggested that no peptide material was lost on conversion into the active form. The purified natural inhibitors alpha 2-macroglobulin, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (‘TIMP’) and amniotic-fluid inhibitor of metalloproteinases all inhibited the two polymorphonuclear-leucocyte metalloproteinases, but the last two inhibitors were slow to act and complete inhibition was difficult to attain. Collagenase degraded soluble types I and III collagen equally efficiently, but soluble type II collagen less well. Gelatinase alone had little activity on these substrates, although it enhanced the action of collagenase. Gelatinase was capable of degrading soluble types IV and V collagen at 25 degrees C, whereas collagenase was only active at higher temperatures when the collagens were susceptible to trypsin activity. By using tissue preparations of insoluble collagens (type I, II or IV) the activity of leucocyte collagenase was low and gelatinase activity was negligible, as measured by the solubilization of hydroxyproline-containing material. The two enzymes together were two or three times more effective in the degradation of these insoluble collagens.
Immunological analysis of a chromosomal antigen specific to human granulocytes
Authors: Ramage K C , Dunn J H J , Campbell A M
Published: August 2015

A chromosomal protein antigen specific for human granulocytes is described. The antigen is present in large amounts in granulocytes and in granulocytic leukaemia. It is absent from HeLa cells, human fibrosarcoma cells and human lymphocytes. It is, however, present in small amounts in other human haemopoietic cell lines. The antigen binds tightly to DNA and requires the presence of DNA to react with the antibody.
Reductive methylation of proteins with sodium cyanoborohydride. Identification, suppression and possible uses of N-cyanomethyl by-products
Authors: Gidley M J , Sanders J K M
Published: August 2015

Reductive methylation of protein amino groups with formaldehyde and sodium cyanoborohydride is shown to give up to 25% yield of N-cyanomethyl (-CH2CN) product; on work up of the reaction this is hydrolysed back to starting amine, lowering the methylation yield. Addition of metal ions such as Ni2+, which complex with free cyanide ion, improve reductive methylation yields by suppressing by-product formation. The N-cyanomethyl group itself, produced in good yield when cyanide ion replaces cyanoborohydride, may have some value as a reversible modifier of amino groups in proteins.
The kinetics of electron transfer between pseudomonas aeruginosa cytochrome c-551 and its oxidase
Authors: Silvestrini M C , Tordi M G , Colosimo A , Antonini E , Brunori M
Published: August 2015

The redox reaction between cytochrome c-551 and its oxidase from the respiratory chain of pseudomonas aeruginosa was studied by rapid-mixing techniques at both pH7 and 9.1. The electron transfer in the direction of cytochrome c-551 reduction, starting with the oxidase in the reduced and CO-bound form, is monophasic, and the governing bimolecular rate constants are 1.3(+/- 0.2) x 10(7) M-1 . s-1 at pH 9.1 and 4 (+/- 1) x 10(6) M-1 . s-1 at pH 7.0. In the opposite direction, i.e. mixing the oxidized oxidase with the reduced cytochrome c-551 in the absence of O2, both a lower absorbance change and a more complex kinetic pattern were observed. With oxidized azurin instead of oxidized cytochrome c-551 the oxidation of the c haem in the CO-bound oxidase is also monophasic, and the second-order rate constant is 2 (+/- 0.7) x 10(6) M-1 . s-1 at pH 9.1. The redox potential of the c haem in the oxidase, as obtained from kinetic titrations of the completely oxidized enzyme with reduced azurin as the variable substrate, is 288 mV at pH 7.0 and 255 mV at pH 9.1. This is in contrast with the very high affinity observed in similar titrations performed with both oxidized azurin and oxidized cytochrome c-551 starting from the CO derivative of the reduced oxidase. It is concluded that: (i) azurin and cytochrome c-551 are not equally efficient in vitro as reducing substrates of the oxidase in the respiratory chain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa; (ii) CO ligation to the d1 haem in the oxidase induces a large decrease (at least 80 mV) in the redox potential of the c-haem moiety.
Detection of monoclonal antibody to high-mobility-group protein 17 from chick oviduct
Authors: Teng C S , Teng C T , Chan T S
Published: August 2015

Total chromosomal HMG (high-mobility-group) proteins have been isolated from oestrogen-stimulated chick oviduct. The antibodies against these proteins were induced in mice and subsequently their spleen cells were fused with myeloma cells to form hybridomas. A highly purified HMG protein, 17, was used to select for the hybridomas that produce antibody against HMG protein 17. The hybridomas were cultured and injected into mice to produce ascites. The antibody against HMG protein 17 in the IgG (immunoglobulin G) fraction of the ascites fluid was obtained by Protein A-Sepharose column chromatography. We have devised a solid-phase radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked serological assay for the detection and characterization of this antibody directed against HMG protein 17. This anti-(HMG protein 17) IgG interacted only with HMG protein 17, but not with other chromosomal proteins, e.g. histone H1, ‘95K protein’ (a chick oviduct-specific chromosomal protein) and HMG proteins 1, 2 and 14. The monospecific nature of this anti-(HMG protein 17) IgG fraction is confirmed.
Polymorphism of myosin light chains. An electrophoretic and immunological study of rabbit skeletal-muscle myosins
Authors: Biral D , Damiani E , Volpe P , Salviati G , Margreth A
Published: August 2015

Antibodies specific for rabbit fast-twitch-muscle myosin LCIF light chain were purified by affinity chromatography and characterized by both non-competitive and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a gel-electrophoresis-derived assay (GEDELISA). The antibodies did not cross-react with myosin heavy chains, and were weakly cross-reactive with the LC2F [5,5′-dithio-(2-nitrobenzoic acid)-dissociated] light chain and with all classes of dissociated light chains (LC1Sa, LC1Sb and LC2S), as well as with the whole myosin, from hind-limb slow-twitch muscle. The immunoreactivity of myosins with a truly mixed light-chain pattern (e.g. vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius) correlated with percentage content of fast-twitch-muscle-type light chains. A more extensive immunoreactivity was observed with diaphragm and masseter myosins, which were also characterized, respectively, by a relative or absolute deficiency of LC1Sa light chain. Furthermore, it was found that the LC1Sb light chain of masseter myosin is antigenically different from its slow-twitch-muscle myosin analogue, and is immunologically related to the LC1F light chain. Rabbit masseter muscle from its metabolic and physiological properties and the content, activity and immunological properties of sarcoplasmic-reticulum adenosine triphosphatase, is classified as a red, predominantly fast-twitch, muscle. Therefore our results suggest that the two antigenically different iso-forms of LC1Sb light chain are associated with the myosins of fast-twitch red and slow-twitch red fibres respectively.
The nature of the stimulation of the respiratory chain of rat liver mitochondria by glucagon pretreatment of animals
Authors: Halestrap A P
Published: August 2015

1. Studies on the cytochrome spectra of liver mitochondria from control and glucagon-treated rats in State 4, State 3 and in the presence of uncoupler are reported. 2. The stimulation of electron flow between cytochromes c1 and c observed previously [Halestrap (1978) Biochem. J. 172, 399-405] was shown to be an artefact of Ca2+-induced swelling of mitochondria. 3. When precautions were taken to prevent such swelling, glucagon treatment was shown to enhance the reduction of cytochromes c, c1 and b558 in both State 3 and uncoupled conditions with either succinate or glutamate + malate as substrate. An increase in the reduction of cytochromes b562 and b566 was also seen in some, but not all, experiments. 4. In State 4 with succinate but not glutamate + malate as substrate, cytochromes c, c1, b558, b562 and b566 showed increased reduction. 5. Glucagon stimulated oxidation of duroquinol and palmitoylcarnitine by intact mitochondria and of NADH by disrupted mitochondria. 6. No effect of glucagon on succinate dehydrogenase activity or the temperature-dependence of succinate oxidation could be detected. 7. Glucagon enhanced the inhibition of the respiratory chain by colletotrichin, but not antimycin or 8-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide. 8. These results are interpreted in terms of a primary stimulation by glucagon of the ‘Q cycle’ [Mitchell (1976) J. Theor. Biol. 62, 827-367] within Complex III (ubiquinol:cytochrome c oxidoreductase) and a secondary site of action involving stimulation of electron flow into Complex III from the ubiquinone pool. 9. Ageing of mitochondria, hyperosmotic treatment or addition of 20 mM-benzyl alcohol opposed the effects of glucagon treatment on cytochrome spectra and colletotrichin inhibition of respiration. 10. These results support the hypothesis that glucagon exerts its effects on the mitochondria by perturbing the membrane structure.
The effects of calcium on protein turnover in skeletal muscles of the rat
Authors: Lewis S E M , Anderson P , Goldspink D F
Published: August 2015

Several experimental procedures were used to increase the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ and determine its effects on protein turnover in isolated extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscle. These methods included the use of ionophore A23187, caffeine, dibucaine, thymol and procaine, all agents known to induce the release of calcium by acting either on the sarcolemma and/or on the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Another approach involved varying the external concentration of Ca2+ in the media in which the muscles were incubated. The changes in muscle Ca2+ concentrations after exposure to the various calcium-releasing agents were in keeping with accepted modes of action of these agents on muscle membranes. The findings suggest that increasing the sarcoplasmic concentration of Ca2+ inhibits protein synthesis and enhances protein breakdown. These catabolic effects of Ca2+ are compared with the changes induced in muscle protein turnover after exposure to insulin or cyclic nucleotides, and in myopathic muscle and situations of work overload. Attention is also drawn to some of the difficulties involved in definitively implicating Ca2+ as a factor involved in the normal regulation of protein turnover.
Purification of rat kidney branched-chain oxo acid dehydrogenase complex with endogenous kinase activity
Authors: Odessey R
Published: August 2015

A method was devised to purify branched-chain oxo acid dehydrogenase (BCOAD) from rat kidney which retains endogenous kinase activity. Incorporation of 32P into purified enzyme parallels the time course of enzyme inhibition by ATP. Phosphorylation occurs on a serine residue(s) of the 46000-mol.wt. subunit of the enzyme complex. Endogenous phosphatase activity is not present after purification, and added pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphate phosphatase does not re-activate BCOAD or liberate 32P from previously labelled enzyme. These results demonstrate that BCOAD can be regulated by an endogenous protein kinase and that the phosphorylation-cycle enzymes regulating BCOAD appear to be distinct from those associated with pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.
Developmental alteration of hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase and sulphotransferase towards androsterone and 4-nitrophenol in Wistar rats
Authors: Matsui M , Watanabe H K
Published: August 2015

Postnatal development of hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase and sulphotransferase activities towards androsterone and 4-nitrophenol as well as cytochrome P-450 contents was studied in male and female Wistar rats. The rats with high and low UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity towards androsterone were classified by the genotype of the parent animals. UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity towards androsterone began rapidly to enhance after 30 days of age in the high-activity group, whereas the transferase activity remained low throughout in the low-activity group. Such a striking difference was not observed in UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity towards 4-nitrophenol, sulphotransferase activity towards androsterone and 4-nitrophenol, and cytochrome P-450 contents. Sex-based difference in the sulphotransferase activity was marked after 30 days of age. Sulphotransferase activity towards androsterone was much higher in adult females than in adult males, whereas higher sulphation activity towards 4-nitrophenol was found in adult males. The results also indicate that the low level of the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity did not lead to compensatory stimulation of the sulphotransferase activity.
Effect of corticosterone treatment on muscle protein turnover in adrenalectomized rats and diabetic rats maintained on insulin
Authors: Odedra Bhanu R. , Millward David J.
Published: August 2015

The effect of corticosterone on protein turnover in skeletal muscle was investigated in growing rats. Protein synthesis was measured in vivo by the constant infusion of [14C]tyrosine. The extent to which any effect of corticosterone is modulated by the hyperinsulinaemia induced by steroid treatment was examined by giving the hormone not only to adrenalectomized rats but also to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats maintained throughout the treatment period on two dosages of insulin by an implanted osmotic minipump. Approximate rates of protein degradation were also estimated in some cases as the difference between synthesis and net change in muscle protein mass. Measurements were also made of free 3-methylhistidine concentration in muscle and plasma. At 10mg of corticosterone/100g body wt. per day, growth stopped and muscle wasting occurred, whereas at 5 mg of corticosterone/100g body wt. per day no net loss of protein occurred. However, this low dose did induce muscle wasting when insulin concentration was regulated by a dose of 1.2 units/day. Protein synthesis was markedly depressed in all treated groups, the depression in the insulin-maintained rats being marginally more than in the hyperinsulinaemic adrenalectomized rats. The oxidative soleus muscle appeared to be less susceptible to the effect of the corticosterone than was the more glycolytic plantaris or gastrocnemius muscle. Any effect of the corticosterone on protein degradation was much less than its effects on protein synthesis. Where increases in the degradation rates appeared to occur in the rats treated with 10mg of corticosterone/100g body wt. per day, the increases were less than 20%. The free intracellular 3-methylhistidine concentrations were doubled in all groups treated with 5 mg of corticosterone/100g body wt. per day and increased 5-fold in the adrenalectomized rats treated with 10mg of corticosterone/100g body wt. per day, with no change in plasma concentration in any of the groups. It is therefore concluded that: (a) the suppression of protein synthesis is the main effect of glucocorticoids in muscle; (b) marked increases in insulin afford only minor protection against this effect; (c) stimulation of protein degradation may occur, but to a much lesser extent.
Lutropin increases phosphorylation of a 33 000-dalton ribosomal protein in rat tumour Leydig cells
Authors: Bakker G H , Hoogerbrugge J W , Rommerts F F G , van der Molen H J
Published: August 2015

Addition of lutropin (luteinizing hormone, ‘LH’) and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine to tumour Leydig cells stimulated phosphorylation of five proteins, of 17 000, 22 000, 24 000, 33 000 and 57 000 Da. Phosphorylation of these proteins coincided with increased pregnenolone production. Phosphorylation of a 33 000-Da protein was lutropin-dependent in Leydig cells isolated from a Leydig-cell tumour, from immature testes or from mature testes. In tumour Leydig cells this protein was present in the small ribosomal subunit. Incubation of tumour Leydig cells with either cycloheximide or puromycin inhibited both basal and lutropin-dependent pregnenolone production, by approx. 90% and 98% respectively. In contrast, basal pregnenolone production in Leydig cells from immature and mature testes was insensitive to cycloheximide or puromycin. Cycloheximide or puromycin increased phosphorylation of the 33 000-Da phosphoprotein by approx. 130% and 80% respectively (effect of lutropin/3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine on phosphorylation: 100%). The molecular mass, the subcellular localization and the sensitivity to phosphorylation in the presence of inhibitors of protein synthesis indicate that the 33 000-Da protein could be similar to ribosomal protein S6.
Non-co-ordinate development of β-adrenergic receptors and adenylate cyclase in chick heart
Authors: Alexander R W , Galper J B , Neer E J , Smith T W
Published: August 2015

We have studied the properties of beta-adrenergic receptors and of their interaction with adenylate cyclase in the chick myocardium during embryogenesis. Between 4.5 and 7.5 days in ovo the number of receptors determined by (-)-[3H]dihydroalprenolol ([3H]DHA) binding is constant at approx. 0.36 pmol of receptor/mg of protein. By day 9 the density decreases significantly to 0.22 pmol of receptor/mg of protein. At day 12.5-13.5 the number was 0.14-0.18 pmol of receptor/mg of protein. This number did not change further up to day 16. The same results were obtained with guanosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imido]triphosphate (p[NH]ppG) added to the assay mixtures. There was no significant change in receptor affinity for the antagonist [3H]DHA between days 5.5 and 13. Despite the decrease in numbers of beta-adrenergic receptors, there was no change in basal, p[NH]ppG-, isoprenaline- or isoprenaline-plus-p[NH]ppG-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity between days 3 and 12 of development. We conclude that beta-adrenergic receptors and adenylate cyclase are not co-ordinately regulated during early embryonic development of the chick heart. Some of the beta-adrenergic receptors present very early in the ontogeny of cardiac tissue appear not to be coupled to adenylate cyclase since their loss is not reflected in decreased activation of the enzyme.
Localization of cyclo-oxygenase and thromboxane synthetase in human platelet intracellular membranes
Authors: Carey F , Menashi S , Crawford N
Published: August 2015

Platelet mixed membrane fractions can be separated into discrete vesicle subpopulations of surface and intracellular origin. Intracellular membrane vesicles are the predominant site of phospholipid-modifying enzymes that liberate arachidonic acid. We report the selective enrichment in intracellular membranes of cyclo-oxygenase and thromboxane synthetase activities. Surface membrane fractions show no such enrichment. These results suggest that a sequence of activities leading to the biosynthesis of thromboxane from arachidonate is associated with the intracellular membrane elements known as dense tubular membranes.
The purification and properties of the second component of guinea-pig complement
Authors: Kerr M A , Gagnon J
Published: August 2015

A method has been developed for the purification to homogeneity of guinea-pig complement component C2. Contrary to previous reports, guinea-pig C2 is a single polypeptide chain with apparent mol.wt. of 102000, the same as human C2. It is cleaved by C1s to yield fragments C2a (apparent molwt. 74000) and C2b (apparent mol.wt. 34000). The amino acid composition and N-terminal sequences of these fragments are similar to those of human C2a and C2b. Human and guinea-pig C2 show more extensive sequence homology to Factor B than previously identified. The known homology around the sites of cleavage by C1s and Factor D has now been extended by a stretch of ten identical or conservatively substituted residues. Sequence homology has now been identified at the N-terminal of C2b and Factor Ba. The properties of the classical-pathway C3 convertases assembled from human C4b, C1s and human or guinea-pig C2 have been compared. The rates of cleavage of human and guinea-pig C2 by C1s (and therefore the rates of assembly of the C3 convertases) are similar. The rate of decay of the activity of the C3 convertase formed from guinea-pig C2 is 10-fold lower than for human C2. This greater stability reflects a higher affinity of guinea-pig C2a for human C4b. The presence of C2b is not necessary for C3 convertase activity.
Evolution of α2-macroglobulin. The purification and characterization of a protein homologous with human α2-macroglobulin from plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) plasma
Authors: Starkey P M , Fletcher T C , Barrett A J
Published: August 2015

A papain-binding protein (PB-protein) was purified to homogeneity from the plasma of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.). PB-protein inhibited the activity of trypsin and pancreatic elastase (serine proteinases), thermolysin (a metalloproteinase) and papain (a cysteine proteinase). Presaturation of PB-protein with trypsin prevented the subsequent inhibition of thermolysin, and vice versa. Only catalytically active endopeptidases were bound by PB-protein. The catalytic activity of trypsin bound by PB-protein was inhibited by 95% against an insoluble protein substrate, but only by 38% against a low-molecular-weight synthetic substrate. The remaining activity of the bound trypsin was partially protected against further inhibition by soya-bean trypsin inhibitor. Trypsin bound by PB-protein showed a decrease of 67% in its reactivity with antibodies. The inhibitory activity of PB-protein was inactivated at pH 8.0 by methylamine (0.2M) or dithiothreitol (1 mM). The inhibition of proteinases by plaice PB-protein shows the distinctive characteristics of inhibition by human alpha 2-macroglobulin, and it is concluded that the plaice protein is a homologue of the human macroglobulin.
Metabolism of xenobiotic compounds by enzymes in cell extracts of the fungus Cunninghamella elegans
Authors: Wackett L P , Gibson D T
Published: August 2015

Cell extracts of the filamentous fungus Cunninghamella elegans contain epoxide hydrolase (EC 3.3.2.3), glutathione S-transferase (EC 2.5.1.18) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.17) activities. Epoxide hydrolase activity was determined with p-nitrostyrene oxide as substrate and was shown to be associated with the 100 000 g pellet obtained from disrupted mycelia. Glutathione S-transferase activity was demonstrated with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and p-nitrobenzyl chloride as substrates. The presence of two or more glutathione S-transferase activities was indicated by different activity ratios for the two substrates in different extracts, and by distinct thermal denaturation curves. UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity with 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene as substrate was found only with the non-sedimentable fraction prepared from ruptured mycelia.
Association of fibronectin with carboxy-group-modified proteins in vitro
Authors: Vuento Matti , Korkolainen Mirja , Stenman Ulf-Hȧkan
Published: August 2015

Treatment of human immunoglobulin G, albumin and fibronectin with water-soluble carbodi-imide at pH4.75 in the presence of glycine ethyl ester resulted in an avid binding of 125I-labelled native fibrinectin to the modified proteins. Succinoylation, reduction and alkylation or heat-denaturation had no such effect. In affinity chromatography under physiological conditions, serum was depleted of fibronectin when run through columns of the carbodi-imide-treated proteins coupled to agarose. Fractions eluted from such columns with urea were enriched in fibronectin. The binding of radiolabelled fibronectin to the carbodi-imide-treated proteins was inhibited by unlabelled fibronectin in relatively low concentrations, but also by albumin in higher concentrations. Heat-denatured albumin inhibited at concentrations approx. 10–30 times lower than native albumin. The binding reaction had a pH optimum of 6–8. It was inhibited at high ionic strength and in the presence of urea. Anionic detergents inhibited at millimolar concentrations, but non-ionic detergents did not inhibit the binding reaction. The results were interpreted as showing that: (1) fibronectin is capable of binding to itself, to immunoglobulin G and to albumin after a reduction of the negative surface charge of these proteins, and may have a general ability to bind such modified proteins; (2) this binding can take place under physiological conditions; (3) carboxy-group-modified proteins selectively bind fibronectin from serum. This novel binding phenomenon could be important in terms of the opsonin function of circulatory fibronectin. We propose that fibronectin may recognize modified (denatured) proteins and mediate their uptake by the reticuloendothelial system.
Iron-induced DNA damage and synthesis in isolated rat liver nuclei
Authors: Shires T K
Published: August 2015

Incubation of iron with isolated rat liver nuclei stimulated fragmentation of single-stranded DNA, incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA and the binding of 59Fe to DNA. FeCl2 was about twice as active as FeCl3. Lipid peroxidation took place in nuclei incubated with FeCl2, but not with FeCl3. Generation of reactive forms of oxygen was required for iron-mediated DNA damage, but evidence for direct interaction of reactive oxygen with DNA was not found. Apparent adducts of iron bound to DNA seemed to be formed by an enzymic mechanism.
Characterization of fragments of human albumin purified by Cibacron blue F3GA affinity chromatography
Authors: Ledden D J , Feldhoff R C , Chan S K
Published: August 2015

Controlled limited proteolysis of human plasma albumin (0.3 mM; 37 degrees C; 15 min; pH 3.7) with pepsin [pepsin/albumin, 1:1000 (w/w)] in the presence of octanoic acid (4.2 mM) yields at least 14 fragments in the range of 5000-56000 Da. By utilizing a combination of conventional and affinity-chromatographic procedures, two fragments with mol. wts. 25000 and 27000 were purified to more than 99% homogeneity. The larger fragment consists of a continuous polypeptide chain and has been shown to contain the primary bilirubin-binding site. The small fragment contains an internal cleavage site. On the basis of amino acid compositions, N-terminal sequences, C-terminal sequences, molecular weights and other internal markers the locations of these fragments within the known sequence of human albumin were determined to be residues 49-308 for the 27000 Da peptide and 309-585 for the 25000 Da peptide. Peptide 309-585 contains an internal cleavage site and appears to be missing residues 408-423. These non-overlapping fragments should be useful for investigations of individual ligand-binding sites and for the determination of antigenic sites.
Secondary and tertiary structural foldings in tRNA. A diagonal plot analysis using the blocked nucleotide scheme
Authors: Malathi R , Yathindra N
Published: August 2015

A distance plot obtained using the blocked nucleotide concept, which regards the repeating nucleotide moieties to be made up of two blocks of nearly equal magnitude, has permitted us to visualize the polynucleotide backbone folding in yeast tRNAPhe. The plot clearly manifests medium- and long-range tertiary interactions involving various structural domains. Apart from the well known T psi-D loop interactions, other long-range interactions associated with the variable loop as well as the D loop are explicitly seen. Most importantly, the plot reveals an approximate two-fold symmetry in the molecule between the domains related to the tertiary interactions in addition to the symmetry between long helical domains. The different patterns on the plot are interpreted in terms of helix-helix, loop-helix and loop-loop interactions.
A simple test for macromolecular heterogeneity in the analytical ultracentrifuge
Authors: Creeth J. Michael , Harding Stephen E.
Published: August 2015

A simple check for the presence of heterogeneity in a macromolecular system is proposed, employing comparison of Rayleigh sedimentation-equilibrium patterns for two solutions of the same fringe concentration but differing absolute concentrations. The method is illustrated by application to a bronchial glycoprotein from a cystic-fibrosis patient.
A specific L-tri-iodothyronine-binding protein in the cytosol fraction of human breast adipose tissue
Authors: Rao Marie Luise , Rao Govind S.
Published: August 2015

1. Binding of l-tri-[125I]iodothyronine to the cytosol fraction of normal human female breast adipose tissue was investigated by the charcoal adsorption method. Equilibrium of binding was reached after 120s at 25°C. 2. The l-tri-[125I]iodothyronine-binding component is a protein; this was confirmed by experiments in which binding was totally lost after heating the cytosol fraction for 10min at 100°C and in which binding was diminished after treatment with proteolytic enzymes and with thiol-group-blocking reagents. The binding protein was stable at −38°C for several months. 3. It displayed saturability, high affinity (apparent Kd 3.28nm) and a single class of binding sites. 4. High specificity for l-tri-iodothyronine and l-3,5-di-iodo-3′-isopropylthyronine was observed, whereas other iodothyronines were less effective in displacing l-tri-[125I]-iodothyronine from its binding site. 5. The binding of the hormone by the cytosol fraction did not show a pH optimum. 6. When cytosol fractions of adipose tissue from different females were subjected to radioimmunoassay for the determination of thyroxine-binding globulin a value of 0.304±0.11μg/mg of cytosol protein (mean±s.d., n=4) was obtained; the mean concentration in plasma was 0.309±0.07μg/mg of plasma protein (mean±s.d., n=3). 7. The Ka value of 6.3×108m−1 of l-tri-[125I]iodothyronine for binding to plasma, the similar thermalinactivation profiles of binding and the reactivity to thiol-group-blocking reagents were some properties common between the binding components from the cytosol fraction and plasma. 8. These results suggest that the cytosol fraction of human female breast adipose tissue contains thyroxine-binding globulin; the protein that binds l-tri-[125I]iodothyronine with high affinity and specificity appears to be similar to thyroxine-binding globulin.
The phospholipids of the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum. Structural change in liver injury
Authors: James Jacqueline L. , Moody David E. , Chan Christine H. , Smuckler Edward A.
Published: August 2015

Endoplasmic-reticulum phospholipids were measured during the first hour after carbon tetrachloride administration to male Sprague–Dawley rats and compared with carbon tetrachloride challenge of microsomes from control animals in vitro. The extracted lipids were separated by high-pressure liquid chromatography. No significant differences in the abundance of phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol or phosphatidylcholine were found after either treatment when compared with untreated controls. Diene conjugate formation in each separated phospholipid was determined by measuring A232 and expressed on the basis of lipid phosphorus. Phosphatidylserine was peroxidized 6-fold greater than in controls after challenge in vivo, reaching maximal change after 15min, whereas the other phospholipids showed little or no alteration. Fatty acid composition analysis was performed by g.l.c. after transesterification of individual phospholipids. Phosphatidylserine revealed two types of response: an abrupt decrease in relative abundance of oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2) without further loss and a slower, linear decrease in arachidonic acid (C20:4) over the first hour. Similar changes were not seen in other phospholipids. In the ‘in vitro’ model, the relative amounts of the phospholipids do not change. The extent of peroxidation was greater in all the phospholipids than found in vivo, with phosphatidylserine peroxidized to the greatest extent. These data suggest that carbon tetrachloride injury in vivo produces an early peroxidative event and that a specific phospholipid (phosphatidylserine) is selectively modified, although maintaining its relative concentration in the membrane. Dissection of this process in vitro will require refinement of existing systems to reduce the non-specific changes associated with the model system.
Occupancy of phosphorylation sites in pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphate complex in rat heart in vivo. Relation to proportion of inactive complex and rate of re-activation by phosphatase
Authors: Sale G J , Randle P J
Published: August 2015

The [gamma-32P]ATP-back-titration method of estimating occupancy in vivo of the three phosphorylation sites in the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex was improved in precision by specific analysis with trypsin/formic acid, by more effective prevention of site-2 dephosphorylation during purification with NaF, and by other refinements. Disproportionation of phosphorylated complexes during purification was excluded. With this improved method it was shown that the relationship between occupancy of sites and the proportion of complex in the inactive form in rat heart in vivo is closely similar to that measured directly in heart mitochondria by incorporation of [32P]Pi. In the heart in vivo (as in mitochondria), occupancy of site 1 correlated linearly with the proportion of inactive complex. Occupancy of sites 2 and 3 only approached equivalence to that of site 1 when 99% of the complex was inactive (starved or diabetic rats). When 70% or less of the complex was inactive (resting or exercising fed normal rats), occupancy of sites 2 and 3 was minimal (3 less than 2) relative to site 1. The initial rate of re-activation by phosphatase of phosphorylated complex from hearts of resting or exercising fed normal rats was approximately three times that of complex from 48 h-starved rats.
Biosynthesis of proteoglycan in vitro by cartilage from human osteochondrophytic spurs
Authors: Malemud Charles J. , Goldberg Victor M. , Moskowitz Roland W. , Getzy Lee L. , Papay Robert S. , Norby David P.
Published: August 2015

Proteoglycan biosynthesis by human osteochondrophytic spurs (osteophytes) obtained from osteoarthritic femoral heads at the time of surgical joint replacement was studied under defined culture conditions in vitro. Osteophytes were primarily present in two anatomic locations, marginal and epi-articular. Minced tissue slices were incubated in the presence of [35S]sulphate or [14C]glucosamine. Osteophytes incorporated both labelled precursors into proteoglycan, which was subsequently characterized by CsCl-isopycnic-density-gradient ultracentrifugation and chromatography on Sepharose CL-2B. The material extracted with 0.5m-guanidinium chloride showed 78.1% of [35S]sulphate in the A1 fraction after centrifugation. Only 23.0% of the [35S]sulphate in this A1 fraction was eluted in the void volume of Sepharose CL-2B under associative conditions. About 60–80% of the [35S]sulphate in the tissue 4m-guanidinium chloride extract was associated with monomeric proteoglycan (fraction D1). The average partition coefficient (Kav.) of the proteoglycan monomer on Sepharose CL-2B was 0.28–0.33. Approx. 12.4% of this monomer formed stable aggregates with high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid in vitro. Sepharose CL-2B chromatography of fractions with lower buoyant densities (fractions D2–D4) demonstrated elution profiles on Sepharose CL-2B substantially different than that of fraction D1, indicative of the polydisperse nature of the newly synthesized proteoglycan. Analysis of the composition and chain size of the glycosaminoglycans showed the following: (1) preferential elution of both [35S]sulphate and [14C]glucosamine in the 0.5m-LiCl fraction on DEAE-cellulose; (2) the predominant sulphated glycosaminoglycan was chondroitin 6-sulphate (60–70%), with 9–11% keratan sulphate in the monomer proteoglycan; (3) Kav. values of 0.38 on Sephadex G-200 and 0.48 on Sepharose CL-6B were obtained with papain-digested and NaBH4-treated D1 monomer respectively. A comparison of the synthetic with endogenous glycosaminoglycans indicated similar types. These studies indicated that human osteophytes synthesized in vitro sulphated proteoglycans with some characteristics similar to those of mature human articular cartilage, notably in the size of their proteoglycan monomer and predominance of chondroitin 6-sulphate. They differed from articular cartilage primarily in the lack of substantial quantities of keratan sulphate and aggregation properties associated with monomer interaction with hyaluronic acid.
On the extent of localization of the energized membrane state in chromatophores from Rhodopseudomonas capsulata N22
Authors: Hitchens G D , Kell D B
Published: August 2015

1. The principle of the double-inhibitor titration method for assessing competing models of electron transport phosphorylation is expounded. 2. This principle is applied to photophosphorylation by chromatophores from Rhodopseudomonas capsulata N22. 3. It is found that, in contrast to the predictions of the chemiosmotic coupling model, free energy transfer is confined to individual electron transport chain and ATP synthase complexes. 4. This conclusion is not weakened by arguments concerning, the degree of uncoupling in the native chromatophore preparation or the relative number of electron transport chain and ATP synthase complexes present. 5. Photophosphorylation is completely inhibited by the uncoupler SF 6847 at a concentration corresponding to 0.31 molecules per electron transport chain. 6. The apparent paradox is solved by the proposal, consistent with the available evidence on the mode of action of uncouplers, that uncoupler binding causes a co-operative conformation transition in the chromatophore membrane, which leads to uncoupling and which is not present in the absence of uncoupler.
Tryptophan pyrrolase in haem regulation. The mechanisms of enhancement of rat liver 5-aminolaevulinate synthase activity by starvation and of the glucose effect on induction of the enzyme by 2-allyl-2-isopropylacetamide
Authors: Badawy Abdulla A.-B. , Welch A. Nicholas , Morgan Christopher J.
Published: August 2015

1. Rat liver tryptophan pyrrolase activity is enhanced by a hormonal-type mechanism during the first 2 days of starvation and by a substrate-type mechanism during the subsequent 2 days. 5-Aminolaevulinate synthase activity is also enhanced during the first 2 days of starvation, but returns thereafter to values resembling those observed in the fed rat. Treatments that prevent or reversé the enhancement of tryptophan pyrrolase activity in 24–48h-starved rats also abolish that of 5-aminolaevulinate synthase activity. Starvation of guinea pigs, which does not enhance the pyrrolase activity, also fails to alter that of the synthase. It is suggested that the decrease in 5-aminolaevulinate synthase activity in 72–96h-starved rats represents negative-feedback repression of synthesis, possibly involving tryptophan participation, whereas the enhancement observed in 24–48h-starved animals is caused by positive-feedback induction secondarily to increased utilization of the regulatory-haem pool by the newly synthesized apo-(tryptophan pyrrolase). 2. Glucose, fructose and sucrose abolish the 24h-starvation-induced increases in rat liver tryptophan pyrrolase and 5-aminolaevulinate synthase activities. Cortisol reverses the glucose effect on 5-aminolaevulinate synthase activity, presumably by enabling pyrrolase to re-utilize the regulatory-haem pool after induction of synthesis of this latter enzyme. 3. The impaired ability of 2-allyl-2-isopropylacetamide to enhance markedly 5-aminolaevulinate synthase activity in 24h-starved rats treated with glucose is associated with a failure of the porphyrogen to cause loss of tryptophan pyrrolase haem. Cortisol restores the ability of the porphyrogen to destroy tryptophan pyrrolase haem and to enhance markedly 5-aminolaevulinate synthase activity, presumably by enhancing tryptophan pyrrolase synthesis and, thereby, its re-utilization of the regulatory-haem pool. It is tentatively suggested that 2-allyl-2-isopropylacetamide destroys the above pool only after it has become bound to (or utilized by) apo-(tryptophan pyrrolase).
The bile acid composition of gastric contents from neonates with high intestinal obstruction
Authors: Clayton P T , Muller D P R , Lawson A M
Published: August 2015

The study was designed to identify ‘atypical’ bile acids in gastric contents from three neonates with high intestinal obstruction on the basis that this was likely to represent a rich source of primary bile acids. Cholic acid was the major component, and related ‘atypical’ bile acids included its C-3 and C-7 oxidation products, its 3 beta-epimer and 2 beta- and 6 alpha-hydroxylation products. Allocholic acid was the only 5 alpha-cholanic acid derivative identified. 7 alpha, 12 alpha-Dihydroxy-3-oxochol-4-en-24-oic acid was found in all three specimens and might be an intermediate in a biosynthetic pathway from cholesterol to cholic acid in which side-chain oxidation precedes at least some of the nuclear changes. Side-chain-hydroxylated derivatives of trihydroxycoprostanic acid were also detected and these may represent intermediates in biosynthetic pathways from cholesterol to cholic acid via 5 beta-cholestan-3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-triol. The most abundant bile acid of this type was (25 epsilon)-3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha, 25-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid, which suggested that C-25 hydroxylation may be an important step in the shortening of the C8 side chain of the cholestane triol to the C5 side chain of cholic acid in the neonatal period. Bile acids lacking a substituent at C-12 included chenodeoxycholic acid, its C-3 and C-7 oxidation products, its 3 beta-epimer and its 6 alpha-hydroxylation product (hyocholic acid).