bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The rates of formation and dissociation of actin-myosin complexes. Effects of solvent, temperature, nucleotide binding and head-head interactions
Authors: Marston S B
Published: August 2015

The rates of formation and dissociation of actin-subfragment 1 and actin-heavy mero-myosin complexes were measured by using light-scatter and the change in fluorescence of N-iodoacetyl-N'-(5-sulpho-1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine (IAEDANS)-labelled acting as probes. Association rate measurements were made at low protein concentration, where the transients approximated to single exponentials with rate constants proportional to the concentration of reactant in excess. Dissociation rate measurements were made by displacing IAEDANS-actin from myosin with excess native actin and by a salt jump. The second-order rate constant of association for actin-subfragment 1 was 3 × 10(6) M-1 . s-1 in 60 mM-KCl at 13 degree C. It was decreased 10-fold in 500 mM-KCl and in 50% (v/v) glycol. It was decreased 6-fold when MgADP or Mg[beta gamma-imido]ATP bound to myosin. The dissociation rate constant was 0.012 s-1 in 60 mM-KCl at 13 degree C. It was increased 4-fold by 500 mM-KCl, 25-fold by 50% glycol, 8-fold by MgADP binding and 170-fold by Mg[beta gamma-imido]ATP binding. Ea for association was 70 kJ . mol-1 and for dissociation 35 kJ . mol-1. Heavy meromyosin associated at twice the rate observed for subfragment 1 and dissociated at less than one-twentieth of the rate for subfragment 1 (60 mM-KCl, 25 degree C), but when Mg[beta gamma-imido]ATP bound actin-heavy meromyosin dissociated at one-half the rate for subfragment 1. There were significant correlations between increase in the dissociation rate constant, decrease in binding constant and increase in magnitude of conformational change. The association rate constant did not correlate with any property of the actin-myosin complex.
Completion of the amino acid sequences of the A and B chains of subcomponent C1q of the first component of human complement
Authors: Reid K B M , Gagnon J , Frampton J
Published: August 2015

The sequences of amino acid residues 109-224 of the A chain, and residues 109-22 of the B chain, of human subcomponent C1q are given. These results, along with previously published sequence data on the N-terminal, collagen-like, regions of the A and B chains [Reid (1979) Biochem. J. 179, 367-371] yield the complete amino acid sequences of the A and B chains of subcomponent C1q. The asparagine residue at position A-124 has been identified as the major site of asparagine-linked carbohydrate in subcomponent C1q. When the sequences of the C-terminal, 135-residue-long, ‘globular’ regions of A and B chains are compared they show 40% homology. The degree of homology over certain stretches of 15-20 residues, within the C-terminal regions, rises up to values of 73%, indicating the presence of strongly conserved structures. Structure prediction studies indicate that both the A and B chain C-terminal regions may adopt a predominantly beta-type structure with apparently little alpha-helical structure.
Isolation of two myosin light-chain kinases from bovine carotid artery and their regulation by phosphorylation mediated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase
Authors: Bhalla Ramesh C. , Sharma Ram V. , Gupta Ramesh C.
Published: August 2015

Myosin light-chain kinase was purifed from bovine carotid artery. Approx. 90% of myosin kinase was extracted in the supernatant fraction with buffer containing EDTA during myofibril preparation. The soluble fraction yielded two distinct peaks on DEAE-Sephacel chromatography. Peak I was eluted at a conductance of 11–12mmho and was completely dependent on Ca2+–calmodulin for its activity. Peak II was eluted at a conductance of 13–14mmho and showed approx. 15% Ca2+-independent activity. The myosin kinases I and II were further purified by affinity chromatography by using calmodulin coupled to Sepharose 4B, which resulted in 960-and 650-fold purification of type I and type II kinases respectively. Myosin kinase II activity was completely Ca2+-dependent after affinity chromatography on the calmodulin–Sepharose column. Myosin kinases I and II were phosphorylated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. In the presence of bound calmodulin 0.5–0.7mol of phosphate was incorporated/mol of myosin kinases I and II. On the other hand, in the absence of bound calmodulin 1–1.4mol of phosphate was incorporated/mol of kinases I and II. Phosphorylation in the absence of calmodulin significantly decreased the myosin kinase activity of both enzymes, and the decrease in myosin kinase activity was due to a 3–5-fold increase in the amount of calmodulin required for half-maximal stimulation of both type I and type II kinases. The regulation of myosin kinase activity by cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation would suggest that β-adrenergic-mediated relaxation of vascular smooth muscle may be partly due to the direct interaction of cyclic AMP at the site of contractile proteins.
Neutral complexes as oxidants for the reduced form of parsley (Petroselinum crispum) [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin. Evidence for partial blocking by redox-inactive Cr(III) complexes
Authors: Adzamli I K , Kim H O W , Sykes A G
Published: August 2015

The 1 : 1 reactions of three neutral Co(III) oxidants, Co(acac)3, Co(NH3)3(NO2)3 and Co(acac)2(NH3)(NO2), with reduced parsley (Petroselinum crispum) [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin (which carries a substantial negative charge), have been studied at 25 degrees C, pH 8.0 (Tris/HCl), I0.10 (NaCl). Whereas it has previously been demonstrated that with Co(NH3)6+ as oxidant the reaction if completely blocked by redox-inactive Cr(NH3)63+, the neutral oxidants are only partially blocked by this same complex. The effects of three Cr(III) complexes, Cr(NH3)63+%, Cr(en)33+ and (en)2Cr . mu(OH,O2CCH3) . CR(en)24+ have been investigated. Kinetic data for the response of 3+, neutral, as well as 1-oxidants to the presence of 3+ (and 4+) Cr(III) complexes can now be rationalized in terms of a single functional site on the protein for electron transfer. Electrostatics have a significant influence on association at this site.
Conformational aspects of N-glycosylation of proteins. Studies with linear and cyclic peptides as probes
Authors: Bause Ernst , Hettkamp Harald , Legler Günter
Published: August 2015

Conformational aspects of N-glycosylation of glycoproteins have been studied by using a series of peptides which contained, in addition to the ‘marker sequence’ Asn-Gly-Thr, two cysteine residues in various positions of the peptide chain. The presence of two cysteines permitted a partial fixation of the above triplet sequence in cyclic structures of various size by intramolecular disulphide bond formation. Comparison of the glycosyl acceptor properties of the linear peptides and their corresponding cyclic analogues allows the following statements. The considerably lower acceptor capabilities of the cyclic derivatives indicate that the restriction of rotational degrees of freedom imposed by disulphide bonding results in a conformation which hinders a favourable interaction of the peptide substrate with the N-glycosyltransferase. On the other hand, the glycosylation rate of linear peptides increases with increasing chain length, suggesting that the amino acids on both the N- and C-terminal side of the ‘marker sequence’ may contribute to a considerable extent to the induction of an ‘active’ conformation. Realization of a potential sugar attachment site requires a hydrogen bond interaction within the ‘marker sequence’ between the oxygen of threonine (serine) as the hydrogen bond acceptor and the β-amide of asparagine as the donor [Bause & Legler (1981) Biochem. J.195, 639–644]. This interaction is obviously facilitated when the peptide chain can adopt a conformation which resembles a β-turn or other loop structure. The available experimental and statistical data are discussed in terms of possible structural features for N-glycosylation, with the aid of space-filling models.
The pathway of electron flow through ubiquinol:cytochrome c oxidoreductase in the respiratory chain. Evidence from inhibition studies for a modified ‘Q cycle’
Authors: Halestrap A P
Published: August 2015

1. Cytochrome spectra of the liver and heart mitochondria incubated under various conditions are presented to compare the effects of antimycin, colletotrichin and 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide (HQNO) additions. 2. Under aerobic conditions, in State 4, in the presence of uncoupler or in the presence of cyanide, all three inhibitors caused oxidation of cytochromes c and c1, but different changes in the spectra of the b cytochromes. Antimycin caused oxidation of a peak at 558 nm and reduction of peaks at 562 nm and 566 nm, whereas colletotrichin caused reduction of peaks at 558 nm and 566 nm and oxidation at 562 nm. HQNO had an effect on the spectra intermediate between those of the two other inhibitors. 3. Under aerobic conditions in the presence of 5 mM-succinate and 5 mM-fumarate, antimycin caused reduction of a peak at 566 nm and oxidation of a peak at 558 nm, whereas colletotrichin had the reverse effect and HQNO caused reduction of a peak at 562 nm. 4. Colletotrichin inhibition of the ADP-stimulated oxidation of glutamate + malate was enhanced by succinate addition and declined again with rotenone addition. Similar but smaller effects were seen with inhibition by antimycin and HQNO. 5. Cytochrome spectra are shown of the effects of ADP and uncoupler addition to stimulate respiration progressively. 6. The results are interpreted in terms of a modified ‘Q cycle’ [Mitchell (1976) J. Theor. Biol. 62, 327-367] in which the three inhibitors are postulated to displace ubiquinone and ubisemiquinone specifically bound to cytochromes b on both sides of the membrane. 7. It is suggested that cytochromes b558 and b566 are the same b cytochrome located on the outer surface of the membrane, but binding ubisemiquinone or colletotrichin and ubiquinone or antimycin respectively. Cytochrome b562 is postulated to be on the inner surface of the mitochondrial membrane and to bind either ubiquinone or ubisemiquinone, HQNO would bind to the reduced form of the cytochrome and colletotrichin to the oxidized form. 8. Sites for the locus of action of glucagon and the protonmotive force on electron flow are suggested.
Forskolin as an activator of cyclic AMP accumulation and secretion in blowfly salivary glands
Authors: Litosch I , Saito Y , Fain J N
Published: August 2015

Forskolin is a diterpene that activates adenylate cyclase in a variety of mammalian cells. In addition of forskolin to blowfly salivary glands increased cyclic AMP accumulation and salivary secretion. There was a small increase in transepithelial movement of labelled Ca2+. Forskolin did not induce breakdown of labelled phosphatidylinositol or inhibit the stimulation of phosphatidylinositol breakdown caused by 5-hydroxytryptamine. These data indicate that forskolin can mimic all the effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine on salivary-gland secretion that have been attributed to cyclic AMP.
Sensitivity of brown-adipose-tissue carnitine palmitoyltransferase to inhibition by malonyl-CoA
Authors: Saggerson E. David , Carpenter Carol A.
Published: August 2015

Overt carnitine palmitoyltransferase in mitochondria isolated from interscapular brown adipose tissue of cold-adapted rats or rats maintained at normal temperature is extremely sensitive to inhibition by malonyl-CoA.
1α,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol and a human myeloid leukaemia cell line (HL-60)
Authors: Tanaka H , Abe E , Miyaura C , Kuribayashi T , Konno K , Nishii Y , Suda T
Published: August 2015

Human promyelocytic leukaemia cells (HL-60) can be induced to differentiate into mature granulocytes in vitro by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1 alpha,25(OH)2D3], the active form of cholecalciferol. The differentiation-associated properties, such as phagocytosis and C3 rosette formation, were induced by as little as 0.12 nM-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3, and, at 12 nM, about half of the cells exhibited differentiation on day 3 of incubation. Concomitantly the viable cell number was decreased to less than half of the control. Among various derivatives of cholecalciferol examined, 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 and 1 alpha,24R-dihydroxycholecalciferol were the most potent in inducing differentiation, followed successively by 1 alpha,24S-dihydroxycholecalciferol, 1 alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and 24R,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. A cytosol protein specifically bound to 1 alpha,25 (OH)2D3 was found in HL-60 cells. Its physical properties closely resembled those found in such target tissues as intestine and parathyroid glands. 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 bound to the cytosol receptor was transferred quantitatively to the chromatin fraction. The specificity of various derivatives of cholecalciferol in inducing differentiation was well correlated with that of their association with the cytosol receptor. These results are compatible with the hypothesis that the active form of cholecalciferol induces differentiation of human myeloid leukaemia cells by a mechanism similar to that proposed for the classical concept of steroid hormone action.
Structural comparison of the haemoglobin components of the armoured catfish Pterygoplichthys pardalis. Evolutionary considerations
Authors: Bossa F , Savi M R , Barra D , Brunori M
Published: August 2015

Amino acid analyses and peptide mapping were performed for the four main haemoglobins from the armoured catfish Pterygoplichthys pardalis; component I, which is functionally distinct from the others, is structurally unique, whereas components II, III and IV, functionally indistinguishable, are closely related in structure. Compositional difference indices are calculated for the four components and for the two major haemoglobins from the trout Salmo irideus, and the results are discussed in terms of structural relationships and evolutionary history of fish haemoglobins.
Biochemical characterization of mouse vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein. Evidence for its presence in embryonic life
Authors: Delorme A C , Danan J L , Ripoche M A , Mathieu H
Published: August 2015

We compared immunochemical and biochemical properties of the vitamin D-dependent Ca2+-binding protein (CaBP) from rat and mouse intestine. The two intestinal CaBP species were extensively purified by gel filtration and successive anion-exchange chromatographies. Both had a similar mol.wt. of 9000. Their pI values differed markedly, being 8.0 and 4.9 in rat and mouse CaBP respectively. Accordingly, mouse CaBP displayed more anodal migration in electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions. Both mouse and rat CaBP only exhibited partial immunochemical similarities, but their amino acid compositions were very similar. Chromatofocusing was also found to be a good method of detecting calcium-dependent changes in their pI. We developed a sensitive radioimmunoassay for mouse CaBP enabling us to detect substantial amounts of CaBP in uterus, yolk sac and chorio-allantoic placenta. During normal mouse gestation, CaBP appeared on day 12 in the chorio-allantoic placenta but was already present on day 9 in the yolk sac, where its level rose sharply between days 9.5 and 10. CaBP may therefore be considered as a new marker for mouse yolk-sac differentiation.
A study of the mechanism of quercetin oxygenation by 18O labelling. A comparison of the mechanism with that of haem degradation
Authors: Brown S B , Rajananda V , Holroyd J A , Evans E G
Published: August 2015

The mechanism of quercetin oxygenation, which is formally analogous to haem degradation, was studied by using 18O labelling. In both the enzymic oxygenation (catalysed by quercetinase) and the non-enzymic reaction (base-catalysed), both oxygen atoms incorporated into product were derived from a single oxygen molecule. Quercetin oxygenation therefore occurs by a classical dioxygenase mechanism and is not an appropriate model for study of the mechanism of haem catabolism.
Cathepsin B from human renal cortex
Authors: Gounaris A D , Slater E E
Published: August 2015

Cysteine-proteinase activity was observed in homogenates of human-cadaver renal cortex. This activity co-purified with renin enzymic activity until separation by aminohexyl-Sepharose-pepstatin affinity chromatography. The cysteine proteinase was purified 1780-fold after the following successive chromatographic procedures: Sephadex G-75, DEAE-cellulose DE-52, and an organomercurial affinity resin. The proteinase activity was dependent upon activation by thiol-containing compounds such as dithiothreitol, as well as by EDTA, and was inhibited by the thiol-group-specific alkylating reagents iodoacetic acid and N-ethylmaleimide. DE-52 cellulose chromatography resolved the cysteine proteinase into two components. On the basis of molecular size (26 000 daltons), activity as a function of pH, stability as a function of pH, substrate specificity and thermal lability, the major component (95%) has been identified as cathepsin B. The DE-52 cellulose elution pattern of the minor component (5%) is suggestive of cathepsin H [Schwartz & Barrett (1980) Biochem. J. 191, 487-497] Enzymic activity was determined with synthetic substrates, in particular alpha-N-benzoyl-DL-arginine 2-naphthylamide (Bz-Arg-NNap), thus precluding the detection of cathepsin L [Kirschke, Langner, Wiederanders, Ansorge, Bohley & Broghammer (1976) Acta Biol. Med. Germ. 35, 285-299]. Inhibition by dimethyl sulphoxide was observed in the determination of Km = 7.0 +/- 0.4 mM for the substrate Bz-Arg-NNap, and care must therefore be taken in the preparation of substrate solutions.
Purification and radioimmunoassay of rat lactate dehydrogenase A and B subunits
Authors: Beebee T J , Carty D S
Published: August 2015

We have developed procedures for purifying lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes from rat tissues that involve two affinity-chromatography steps and that facilitate the isolation of milligram quantities of highly purified proteins within 2-3 days. Antibodies raised against pure A and B subunits in rabbits and hens were used in radioimmunoassays and showed negligible cross-reactivity with heterologous subunits. The radioimmunoassays provide a sensitive method for measuring nanogram amounts of A-subunit and B-subunit polypeptides in tissue homogenates and were employed to characterize the enzyme purification procedures.
Characterization and partial sequence of di-iodosulphophenyl isothiocyanate-binding peptide from human erythrocyte anion-transport protein
Authors: Mawby W J , Findlay J B
Published: August 2015

We investigated the presumed anion-binding domain of the anion-transport protein from human erythrocyte membranes, using 2,6-di-iodo-4-sulphophenyl isothiocyanate, an inhibitor of anion transport. The 125I-labelled reagent binds covalently to the protein with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 86 microM. Treatment of unsealed erythrocyte ‘ghosts’ with chymotrypsin yielded a membrane-bound fragment (mol.wt. 14 500 +/- 1000) that contained all the protein-bound radioactivity. The binding of the inhibitor to this peptide gave a pattern very similar to that obtained for the effect of the compound on phosphate transport into erythrocytes. The peptide is therefore presumed to be intimately involved in the mediation of anion exchange. Cleavage of the 14 500-mol.wt. transmembrane fragment with CNBr resulted in the production of two peptides with apparent molecular weights of 8800 and 4700. The 4700-mol.wt. peptide is the N-terminal portion of the 14 500-mol.wt. peptide. The attachment site for 2,6-di-iodo-4-sulphophenyl isothiocyanate is situated near the C-terminal of the 8800-mol.wt. peptide. This locates the inhibitor-binding site near the chymotrypsin cleavage point at the extracellular surface of the membrane. A partial sequence (residues 1-38) of the 8800-mol.wt. peptide was obtained.
The activity of dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase from rat brain striatum is modulated by temperature and the bilayer-fluidizing agent, benzyl alcohol
Authors: Needham Lindsey , Houslay Miles D.
Published: August 2015

Benzyl alcohol achieved a marked activation of the adenylate cyclase activity in a partially purified membrane preparation from rat brain striata, although inhibition resulted at high concentrations. The degree of activation observed depended on the ligand used to stimulate the enzyme, with that observed in the presence of guanosine 5′-[β,γ-imido]triphosphate (p[NH]ppG) (5.8-fold)>dopamine+p[NH]ppG (5-fold)> GTP (3-fold)>dopamine+high GTP (2.25-fold)>dopamine (+low GTP)=basal (+low GTP) (1.7-fold). The differences in the concentration-dependence of both the activation and inhibition of dopamine-stimulated and basal activities of the enzyme meant that increasing benzyl alcohol concentrations caused a net elevation in the fold-stimulation of the basal activity by dopamine. Arrhenius plots of p[NH]ppG-, GTP-, fluoride-, dopamine-plus-high GTP- and dopamine-plus-p[NH]ppG-stimulated activities all exhibited a single break occurring at around 22°C. This break point was decreased to around 13°C when 50mm-benzyl alcohol was added to the assays. In the presence of dopamine (+low GTP), Arrhenius plots exhibited two distinct breaks, one at around 21°C and the other at around 11°C. When benzyl alcohol (50mm) was added to these assays of dopamine (+low GTP)-stimulated activity, a single break at around 14°C was observed. For the basal activity the Arrhenius plot exhibited a single break at around 15°C both in the presence and in the absence of 50mm-benzyl alcohol. It is suggested that the enzyme is activated by productive collisions between independent mobile entities and that the activity of the enzyme may be regulated by changes in membrane fluidity. The breaks in the Arrhenius plots of all of the ligand-stimulated activities, but not the basal activity, are attributed to lipid-phase separations occurring in either the inner or the outer halves of the bilayer.
Differential effects of Ca2+-calmodulin on adenylate cyclase activity cyclase activity in mouse and rat pancreatic islets
Authors: Thams P , Capito K , Hedeskov C J
Published: August 2015

The effects of Ca2+-calmodulin on adenylate cyclase activity in EGTA-washed, 27000 g particulate fractions of mouse and rat pancreatic islets were studied. Ca2+ (10 microM)-calmodulin (1 microM) stimulated adenylate cyclase activity 53.1 +/- 5.2 (N = 6)% in the particulate fraction of rat islets. Trifluoperazine (50 microM), a specific inhibitor of calmodulin, inhibited the Ca2+-calmodulin activation of the adenylate cyclase activity of this fraction of rat islets. These results confirm previous reports dealing with Ca2+-Calmodulin and rat islet adenylate cyclase [Valverde, Vandermeers. Anjaneyulu & Malaisse (1979) Science 206, 225-227; Sharp, Wiedenkeller, Kaelin, Siegel & Wollheim (1980) Diabetes 29, 74-77]. In contrast, however, Ca2+ (1-100 microM)-calmodulin (1-10 microM) did not stimulate the adenylate cyclase activity in the EGTA-washed particulate fraction of mouse islets, and trifluoperazine (50 microM) did not inhibit the adenylate cyclase activity of this fraction of mouse islets, although some remaining calmodulin [0.18 +/- 0.05 (n = 3) microgram/mg of protein] could be demonstrated. GTP (10 microM) enhanced islet adenylate cyclase activity considerably, but did not confer any sensitivity towards Ca2+-calmodulin on mouse islet adenylate cyclase. The results question the role of calmodulin in the Ca2+-dependent rise in cyclic AMP evoked by glucose in pancreatic islets.
Evidence for a direct effect of bacitracin on cell-mediated insulin degradation in isolated hepatocytes
Authors: Juul Sandra M. , Jones Richard H.
Published: August 2015

In freshly isolated hepatocytes, in which extracellular degradation of insulin was very low, the degradation velocity was first-order with respect to the amount of insulin bound at steady state. The addition of bacitracin decreased the degradation velocity considerably, so that a higher proportion of cell-associated radioactivity remained intact. The results demonstrate that bacitracin affects the mechanism of insulin processing by intact hepatocytes.
The effects of chronic hyperphenylalaninaemia on mouse brain protein synthesis can be prevented by other amino acids
Authors: Binek-Singer P , Johnson T C
Published: August 2015

A prolonged elevation in the concentrations of circulating phenylalanine was maintained in newborn mice by daily injections of phenylalanine and a phenylalanine hydroxylase inhibitor, alpha-methylphenylalanine. The result of this chronic hyperphenylalaninaemia was an accumulation of vacant or inactive monoribosomes that persisted for 18 h of each day. An elongation assay in vitro with brain postmitochondrial supernatants demonstrated that, in addition, there was an equally prolonged decrease in the rates of polypeptide-chain elongation by the remaining brain polyribosomes. Analyses of the free amino acid composition in the brains of hyperphenylalaninaemic mice showed a loss of several amino acids from the brain, particularly the large, neutral amino acids, which are co- or counter-transported across plasma membranes with phenylalanine. When a mixture of these amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, methionine) was injected into hyperphenylalaninaemic mice, there was an immediate cessation of monoribosome accumulation in the brain and there was no inhibition of the rates of polypeptide-chain elongation. Although the concentrations of the large, neutral amino acids in the brain were partially preserved by treatment of hyperphenylalaninaemic mice with the amino acid mixture, the elevated concentrations of phenylalanine remained unaltered. The amino acid mixture had no detectable effect on brain protein synthesis in the absence of the hyperphenylalaninaemic condition.
Excellent wavelength-dependence of laser-induced delayed light-emission from mesophyll and bundle-sheath cells of maize
Authors: Ross D A , McCauley S W , Ruby R H
Published: August 2015

Mesophyll and bundle-sheath cells from maize (Zea mays) were examined for delayed light-emission. An enzymic procedure was used to isolate the mesophyll and bundle-sheath cells. A tunable dye laser was used at 695-720 nm to excite delayed light-emission. The mesophyll cells show a typical Photosystem-II dependence on excitation wavelength for delayed light-emission, and this emission was eliminated by hydroxylamine and 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea. The bundle-sheath cells show no delayed light-emission with these excitation wavelengths. Photosystem-I emission was not observed from either cell type, there being no effect of Methyl Viologen on the observed signals.
Tryptophan and tryptophan pyrrolase in haem regulation. The role of lipolysis and direct displacement of serum-protein-bound tryptophan in the opposite effects of administration of endotoxin, morphine, palmitate, salicylate and theophylline on rat liver 5-aminolaevulinate synthase activity and the haem saturation of tryptophan pyrrolase
Authors: Badawy Abdulla A.-B. , Morgan Christopher J.
Published: August 2015

1. The increase in the haem saturation of rat liver tryptophan pyrrolase caused by tryptophan administration was previously shown to be associated with a decrease in 5-aminolaevulinate synthase activity. 2. It is now shown that similar reciprocal effects are caused by palmitate and salicylate, both of which increase tryptophan availability to the liver by direct displacement of the serum-protein-bound amino acid. 3. The reciprocal effects on the former two parameters caused by endotoxin and morphine are associated with an increase in liver tryptophan concentration produced by a lipolysis-dependent, non-esterified fatty acid-mediated, displacement of the serum-protein-bound amino acid. 4. All these changes and those caused by another lipolytic agent, theophylline, are prevented by the β-adrenoceptor-blocking agent propranolol and by the opiate-receptor antagonist naloxone, whose anti-lipolytic nature is demonstrated. 5. High correlation coefficients have been obtained for one or more pairs of the following parameters: serum non-esterified fatty acid concentration, free serum tryptophan concentration, liver tryptophan concentration, liver 5-aminolaevulinate synthase activity, liver holo-(tryptophan pyrrolase) activity and the haem saturation of liver tryptophan pyrrolase. 6. It is suggested that liver tryptophan concentration may play an important role in the regulation of 5-aminolaevulinate synthase synthesis, and that the latter may be subject to control by changes in lipid metabolism and may be influenced by pharmacological agents that affect tryptophan disposition. 7. Preliminary evidence suggests that tryptophan may be bound in the liver and that such a possible binding may control its availability for its hepatic functions.
The regulation of hepatic stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase in obese-hyperglycaemic (ob/ob) mice by food intake and the fatty acid composition of the diet
Authors: Enser M , Roberts J L
Published: August 2015

1. The effects of food intake and the fatty acid composition of the diet on the hepatic stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity of obese-hyperglycaemic (ob/ob) mice were investigated. 2. Obese mice fed on a commercial mouse diet, ad libitum, had 6.5-fold more activity per liver cell than had lean mice. 3. On a diet containing 14% corn oil the activity was 65% less in obese mice and 62% less in lean mice compared with animals fed on the commercial diet. 4. Feeding with 14% saturated fat in the diet doubled the activity in lean mice compared with those on the commercial diet, but had no effect on the activity in obese mice. 5. Obese mice fed on the corn-oil diet contained a higher proportion of linoleic acid in the liver lipids than did lean mice fed on the commercial diet, but the acyl-CoA desaturase activity was 125% higher than in the lean mice. 6. Limiting the food intake of obese mice by pair-feeding with lean mice decreased their acyl-CoA desaturase activity when the animals were fed on the saturated-fat diet, but the activity remained 75% higher than in lean mice, whereas in obese mice pair-fed on the corn-oil diet the activity was the same as in lean mice. 7. During starvation the acyl-CoA desaturase activity in livers from obese mice decreased more slowly and proportionately less than in livers from lean mice. 8. It is concluded that increased substrate supply as a result of hyperphagia and not low concentration of linoleic acid is the main factor causing high acyl-CoA desaturase activity in obese mice.
Hydrolysis of plasma triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins from immature and laying hens (Gallus domesticus) by lipoprotein lipase in vitro
Authors: Griffin H , Grant G , Perry M
Published: August 2015

Very-low-density (VLD) lipoproteins and portomicrons were isolated from the plasma of immature and laying hens and their size, lipid composition and susceptibility to hydrolysis by lipoprotein lipase were compared. In agreement with other studies, VLD lipoproteins from laying hens were found to be smaller and have a different lipid composition than VLD lipoproteins from immature hens. Portomicrons from immature and laying hens had mean diameters of about 150 nm and similar lipid compositions. Hydrolysis of VLD lipoproteins from immature hens, and portomicrons from immature and laying hens, proceeded rapidly until at least 40% of the substrate had been used. In contrast only 1-15% of laying-hen VLD-lipoprotein triacylglycerol was readily hydrolysis occurred slowly. The limited susceptibility of laying-hen VLD lipoproteins appeared to be due to their low content of lipoprotein lipase activator apoprotein, which occurred despite an abundance of activator in the high-density lipoproteins of laying-hen plasma. The results provide further evidence that the liver of the laying hen synthesizes specialized lipoproteins. Their limited susceptibility to hydrolysis by lipoprotein lipase is probably a major factor in ensuring transport of lipid to yolk rather than to other tissues. The form of transport of dietary lipid, however, is similar in immature and laying hens.
Large-scale isolation of human erythrocyte Ca2+-transport ATPase
Authors: Gietzen K , Kolandt J
Published: August 2015

A rapid procedure for preparing large quantities of purified erythrocyte Ca2+-transport ATPase is presented. The method involves: (1) fast preparation of calmodulin-deficient, essentially haemoglobin-free, erythrocyte membranes by molecular filtration using Pellicon filters; (2) solubilization of membrane proteins by deoxycholate; and (3) a batch procedure using calmodulin-Sepharose 4B gel for purification of Ca2+-transport ATPase.
Involvement of a single thiol group in the conversion of the NAD+-dependent activity of rat liver xanthine oxidoreductase to the O2-dependent activity
Authors: Kamiński Z W , Jezewska M M
Published: August 2015

The effects of 2-iodosobenzoic acid, 4-chloromercuribenzoate, 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) and tetraethylthioperoxydicarbonic diamide (disulphiram) on the NAD+-dependent activity of xanthine oxidoreductase from rat liver were investigated. Only disulphiram converted the NAD+-dependent activity into the O2-dependent activity quantitatively, without changing the xanthine hydroxylation rate. The modification process was a first-order reaction with respect to time (min) and disulphiram concentration (microM). The kinetic data showed that modification of single thiol group is sufficient for loss of the enzymic activity towards NAD+ as electron acceptor. The complete protection afforded by NAD+ against the action of disulphiram suggests that the essential thiol group may be involved in binding of NAD+ to the xanthine oxidoreductase molecule.
Inhibition by glutamate of phosphate-dependent glutaminase of rat kidney
Authors: Shapiro R A , Morehouse R F , Curthoys N P
Published: August 2015

A membrane-associated form of phosphate-dependent glutaminase was derived from sonicated mitochondria and purified essentially free of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity. Increasing concentrations of phosphate cause a sigmoidal activation of the membrane-bound glutaminase. Phosphate also causes a similar effect on the rate of glutaminase inactivation by the two affinity labels, L-2-amino-4-oxo-5-chloropentanoic acid and 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine, as observed previously for the solubilized and purified enzyme. Therefore the two forms of glutaminase undergo similar phosphate-induced changes in conformation. A sensitive radioactive assay was developed and used to determine the kinetics of glutamate inhibition of the membrane-associated glutaminase. The Km for glutamine decreases from 36 to 4 mM when the phosphate concentration is increased from 5 to 100 mM. Glutamate is a competitive inhibitor with respect to glutamine at both high and low concentrations of phosphate. However, the Ki for glutamate is increased from 5 to 52 mM with increasing phosphate concentration. Therefore glutamine and glutamate interact with the same site on the glutaminase, but the specificity of the site is determined by the available phosphate concentration.
Transferrin receptors of human fibroblasts. Analysis of receptor properties and regulation
Authors: Ward J H , Kushner J P , Kaplan J
Published: August 2015

Normal human skin fibroblasts cultured in vitro exhibit specific binding sites for 125I-labelled transferrin. Kinetic studies revealed a rate constant for association (Kon) at 37 degrees C of 1.03×10(7) M-1 X min-1. The rate constant for dissociation (Koff) at 37 degrees C was 7.9×10(-2) X min-1. The dissociation constant (KD) was 5.1×10(-9) M as determined by Scatchard analysis of binding and analysis of rate constants. Fibroblasts were capable of binding 3.9×10(5) molecules of transferrin per cell. Binding of 125I-labelled diferric transferrin to cells was inhibited equally by either apo-transferrin or diferric transferrin, but no inhibition was evident with apo-lactoferrin, iron-saturated lactoferrin, or albumin. Preincubation of cells with saturating levels of diferric transferrin or apo-transferrin produced no significant change in receptor number or affinity. Preincubation of cells with ferric ammonium citrate caused a time- and dose-dependent decrease in transferrin binding. After preincubation with ferric ammonium citrate for 72 h, diferric transferrin binding was 37.7% of control, but no change in receptor affinity was apparent by Scatchard analysis. These results suggest that fibroblast transferrin receptor number is modulated by intracellular iron content and not by ligand-receptor binding.
Control of storage-protein synthesis during seed development in pea (Pisum sativum L.)
Authors: Gatehouse J A , Evans I M , Bown D , Croy R R D , Boulter D
Published: August 2015

The tissue-specific syntheses of seed storage proteins in the cotyledons of developing pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds have been demonstrated by estimates of their qualitative and quantitative accumulation by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and rocket immunoelectrophoresis respectively. Vicilin-fraction proteins initially accumulated faster than legumin, but whereas legumin was accumulated throughout development, different components of the vicilin fraction had their predominant periods of synthesis at different stages of development. The translation products in vitro of polysomes isolated from cotyledons at different stages of development reflected the synthesis in vivo of storage-protein polypeptides at corresponding times. The levels of storage-protein mRNA species during development were estimated by ‘Northern’ hybridization using cloned complementary-DNA probes. This technique showed that the levels of legumin and vicilin (47000-Mr precursors) mRNA species increased and decreased in agreement with estimated rates of synthesis of the respective polypeptides. The relative amounts of these messages, estimated by kinetic hybridization were also consistent. Legumin mRNA was present in leaf poly(A)+ RNA at less than one-thousandth of the level in cotyledon poly(A)+ (polyadenylated) RNA, demonstrating tissue-specific expression. Evidence is presented that storage-protein mRNA species are relatively long-lived, and it is suggested that storage-protein synthesis is regulated primarily at the transcriptional level.
The effect of fructose on pyruvate kinase activity in isolated hepatocytes. Inhibition by allantoin and alanine
Authors: Mapungwana S M , Davies D R
Published: August 2015

1. Incubation of isolated hepatocytes with fructose at concentrations above 3 mM resulted in an apparent inhibition of pyruvate kinase assayed in crude extracts at sub-optimal phosphoenolpyruvate concentrations. 2. Fructose at concentrations below 3 mM caused an activation of the enzyme. 3. Increases in the hepatocyte contents of the positive effectors fructose 1.6-bisphosphate and fructose 1-phosphate were found at all concentrations of fructose up to 10mM. 4. Removal of the extrahepatocyte medium from the hepatocytes by washing resulted in an activation of the enzyme at all concentrations of fructose examined. 5. Inhibitors of the enzyme were shown to accumulate in the hepatocytes despite the depletion of ATP (a known negative effector) caused by higher concentrations of fructose. Indeed the inhibition of pyruvate kinase appeared to be correlated to the depletion of ATP. 6. Alanine (a known inhibitor) was shown to accumulate in hepatocytes as a consequence of incubation with fructose. 7. Allantoin and uric acid were shown to be inhibitors of a partially purified pyruvate kinase preparation assayed both in the presence and in the absence of fructose 1.6-bisphosphate. 8. Allantoin, but not uric acid, accumulated in the extrahepatocyte medium as a result of incubation of the cells with 10 mM-fructose.
Cell-surface remodelling during mammalian erythropoiesis
Authors: Wraith D C , Chesterton C J
Published: August 2015

Current evidence suggests that the major cell-surface modification occurring during mammalian erythropoiesis could be generated by two separate mechanisms: either selective loss of membrane proteins during enucleation or endocytosis at the subsequent reticulocyte and erythrocyte stages. The former idea was tested by collecting developing rabbit erythroid cells before and after the enucleation step and comparing their cell-surface protein composition via radiolabelling and electrophoresis. Few changes were observed. Our data thus lend support to the endocytosis mechanism.
Response to starvation of hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity and its regulation by malonyl-CoA. Sex differences and effects of pregnancy
Authors: Saggerson E D , Carpenter C A
Published: August 2015

1. Hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity was measured over a range of concentrations of palmitoyl-CoA and in the presence of several concentrations of the inhibitor malonyl-CoA. These measurements were made in mitochondria obtained from the livers of fed and starved (24 h) virgin female and fed and starved pregnant rats. 2. In the fed state overt carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity was significantly lower in virgin females than in age-matched male rats. 3. Starvation increased overt carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity in both virgin and pregnant females. This increase was larger than in the male and was greater in pregnant than in virgin females. 4. In the fed state pregnancy had no effect on the Hill coefficient or the [S]0.5 when palmitoyl-CoA was varied as substrate. Pregnancy did not alter the sensitivity of the enzyme to inhibition by malonyl-CoA. 5. Starvation decreased the sensitivity of the enzyme to malonyl-CoA. The change in sensitivity was similar in male, virgin female and pregnant rats. 6. The possible relevance of these findings to known sex differences and changes with pregnancy in hepatic fatty acid oxidation and esterification are discussed.
Abundant amounts of diadenosine 5′,5‴-P1,P4-tetraphosphate are present and releasable, but metabolically inactive, in human platelets
Authors: Flodgaard H , Klenow H
Published: August 2015

Diadenosine 5′,5‴-P1,P4-tetraphosphate (Ap4A) may be formed in the back reaction of the amino acid-activation reaction [Zamecnik, Stephenson, Janeway & Randerath (1966) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 24, 91-98]. On the basis of a number of observations of the properties of Ap4A it has been suggested that it may have a signal function for the initiation of DNA replication in eukaryotic cells] Grummt (1978) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75, 371-375]. In the present paper human platelets have been shown to contain relatively large amounts of Ap4A. The compound is apparently metabolic inactive in platelets, but it is almost quantitatively released when platelets are activated to aggregate by treatment with thrombin. The results are discussed in connection with the known growth-stimulating activity of platelets.
Cystine accumulation in cystinotic fibroblasts from free and protein-linked cystine but not cysteine
Authors: Thoene Jess G. , Lemons Rosemary M.
Published: August 2015

The accumulation of cystine in cystinotic fibroblasts from free and protein-linked cystine has been investigated. Cystine is not accumulated from cysteine but is readily accumulated from cystine. The accumulation from free cystine does not occur as a result of pinocytosis or from the degradation of a rapidly metabolized protein pool. Further studies of the degradation of disulphide-containing proteins by these cells may aid understanding of the mechanisms of proteolysis.
The inhibition of class C β-lactamases by boronic acids
Authors: Beesley T , Gascoyne N , Knott-Hunziker V , Petursson S , Waley S G , Jaurin B , Grundström T
Published: August 2015

Aromatic boronic acids are reversible inhibitors of the recently classified class C beta-lactamases. The boronic acids studied include ortho-, meta- and para-methyl-, -hydroxymethyl- and -formyl-phenylboronic acid. The beta-lactamases were chromosomally-encoded enzymes, one from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the other specified by the ampC gene of Escherichia coli. The inhibition may be correlated with our finding that these beta-lactamases are serine enzymes, i.e. their function entails the hydroxy group of a serine residue acting as a nucleophile.
Errors in the evaluation of Arrhenius and van't Hoff plots
Authors: Keleti T
Published: August 2015

Errors in the numerical values of activation or normal enthalpies, entropies and free enthalpies calculated from Arrhenius or van't Hoff plots, respectively, are due to the neglect of equidimensionality in equations, or to inappropriate approximations. The logarithmization of dimensioned quantities should be avoided, which demands the use of relative concentrations if a change in mole number occurs in the reaction. The application of the Arrhenius plot to enzymic reactions by using Vmax./ET instead of the rate constant of product formation has meaning only if the reaction follows the simplest Michaelis-Menten mechanism; however, the use of the van't Hoff plot using Km is questionable even in the latter case.
Equilibrium and kinetic studies of oxygen binding to fragments of Lymnaea stagnalis (freshwater snail) haemocyanin obtained by proteolytic digestion
Authors: Dawson A , Wood E J
Published: August 2015

Functional fragments of the haemocyanin from the gastropod mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis (freshwater snail) were obtained by partial digestion with trypsin and plasmin. The fragments were purified by ion-exchange chromatography and characterized by detergent/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Three types of single-functional unit fragment were isolated from the trypsin digest, and two immunologically distinct three-functional unit fragments and a single-functional unit fragment were isolated from the plasmin digest. The O2-binding behaviour of the fragments was investigated by equilibrium and kinetic methods. Over the pH range 7.0-8.2, in the presence of 10-20 mM-CaCl2, all of the single-functional unit fragments displayed non-co-operative O2 binding and showed no evidence of a Bohr or a salt effect. A Hill coefficient of less than 1.0 was obtained with one of the two three-functional unit fragments studied, whereas both of these fragments displayed a Bohr effect. Functional heterogeneity of the fragments was indicated by the variation in the O2 affinity, the P50 (partial pressure of O2 at half saturation) ranging between 0.26 and 0.77 kPa (approx. 2-6 mmHg). Stopped-flow data reflected the O2 equilibrium behaviour. Thus there was a fall in the value of the O2 dissociation rate constant from approx. 15 to 1s-1 in parallel with the increase in O2 affinity.
Anaerobic and aerobic coproporphyrinogen III oxidases of Rhodopseudomonas spheroides. Mechanism and stereochemistry of vinyl group formation
Authors: Seehra J S , Jordan P M , Akhtar M
Published: August 2015

An improved method for the preparation of various species of porphobilinogen stereospecifically labelled with 3H in the side chains (at C-6, C-7 and C-8) is described. These labelled samples were used to study the mechanism and stereochemistry of anaerobic as well as aerobic coproporphyrinogen III oxidase of light-grown Rhodopseudomonas spheroides. It was shown that both the oxidases catalyse the conversion of the propionate side chains of coproporphyrinogen III into the vinyl groups of protoporphyrinogen IX, (formula; see text) with the labilization of the pro-S-hydrogen atom at the beta-position. These results are similar to those previously recorded for such conversions in animal and plant systems. In the light of the cumulative information available to date, mechanisms for the conversion, (formula; see text) are discussed and doubt is cast on the participation of hydroxylated intermediates in the process.