bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Binding to antithrombin of heparin fractions with different molecular weights
Authors: Danielsson Ȧke , Björk Ingemar
Published: August 2015

The interaction between bovine antithrombin, a plasma proteinase inhibitor, and heparin species of different molecular weights was studied. A commercial heparin preparation was divided by gel chromatography into a number of fractions with average molecular weights ranging from 6000 to 34700. Each of these fractions was further fractionated by affinity chromatography on matrix-bound antithrombin. In the latter procedure, those heparin fractions that had molecular weights lower than about 14000 were separated into three peaks. The material in the first of these was not adsorbed on the column, and the other two peaks corresponded to the low-affinity and high-affinity peaks described previously. In contrast, high-molecular-weight heparin samples gave only the low-affinity and high-affinity fractions. U.v. difference absorption studies showed that the non-adsorbed heparin fraction bound to antithrombin in solution with a binding constant at physiological ionic strength only slightly lower than that of low-affinity heparin. The division between the two fractions thus is arbitrary and only dependent on the conditions selected for the affinity-chromatography experiment. Stoicheiometries and binding constants for the binding of several high-affinity heparin species to antithrombin were determined by fluorescence titrations. High-affinity heparin fractions of equal elution positions in the beginning of the peaks of the affinity chromatographies, but with different molecular weights, showed stoicheiometries that were not experimentally distinguishable from 1:1 and also had no appreciable differences in binding constants. However, the anticoagulant activities, calculated on a molar basis, of these fractions increased markedly with molecular weight, a behaviour that thus cannot be explained by differences in the binding of the fractions to antithrombin. In contrast, high-affinity samples of similar molecular weights, which were eluted at increasing ionic strengths from matrix-linked antithrombin, were found to have an increasing proportion of chains with two binding sites for antithrombin and also to have progressively higher binding constants. These binding properties at least partly explain the increasing anticoagulant activities that were observed for these fractions.
The use of naturally occurring hybrid variants of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase to investigate subunit contacts
Authors: Packman L C , Shaw W V
Published: August 2015

1. Hybrids of the tetrameric enzyme chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.28) were formed in vivo in a strain of Escherichia coli which harbours two different plasmids, each of which normally confers chloramphenicol resistance and specifies an easily distinguished enzyme variant (type I or type III) which is composed of identical subunits. Cell-free extracts of the dual-plasmid strain were found to contain five species of active enzyme, two of which were the homomeric enzymes corresponding to the naturally occurring tetramers of the type-I (beta 4) and type-III (alpha 4) enzymes. The other three variants were judged to be the heteromeric hybrid variants (alpha 3 beta, alpha 2 beta 2, alpha beta 3). 2. The alpha 3 beta and alpha 2 beta 2 hybrids of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase were purified to homogeneity by combining the techniques of affinity and ion-exchange chromatography. The alpha beta 3 variant was not recovered and may be unstable in vitro. 3. The unique lysine residues that could not be modified with methyl acetimidate in each of the native homomeric enzymes were also investigated in the heteromeric tetramers. 4. Lysine-136 remains buried in each beta subunit of the parental (type I) enzyme and in each of the hybrid tetramers. Lysine-38 of each alpha subunit is similarly unreactive in the native type-III chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (alpha 4), but in the alpha 2 beta 2 hybird lysine-38 of each alpha subunit is fully exposed to solvent. Another lysine residue, fully reactive in the alpha 4 enzyme, was observed to be inaccessible to modification in the symmetrical hybrid. The results obtained for the alpha 3 beta enzyme suggest that lysine-38 in two subunits and a different lysine group (that identified in the alpha 2 beta 2 enzyme) in the third alpha subunit are buried. 5. A tentative model for the subunit interactions of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase is proposed on the basis of the results described.
Mouse macrophage elastase. Purification and characterization as a metalloproteinase
Authors: Banda M J , Werb Z
Published: August 2015

Macrophage elastase was purified from tissue-culture medium conditioned by inflammatory mouse peritoneal macrophages. Characterized as a secreted neutral metalloproteinase, this enzyme was shown to be catalytically and immunochemically distinct from the mouse pancreatic and mouse granulocyte elastases, both of which are serine proteinases. Inhibition profiles, production of nascent N-terminal leucine residues and sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of degraded elastin indicated that macrophage elastase is an endopeptidase, with properties of a metalloproteinase, rather than a serine proteinase. Macrophage elastase was inhibited by alpha 2-macroglobulin, but not by alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor. Macrophage elastase was resolved into three chromatographically distinct forms. The predominant form had mol.wt. 22 000 and was purified 4100-fold. Purification of biosynthetically radiolabelled elastase indicated that this form represented less than 0.5% of the secreted protein of macrophages. Approx. 800% of the starting activity was recovered after purification. Evidence was obtained for an excess of an endogenous inhibitor masking more than 80% of the secreted activity.
The hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol monolayers at an air/water interface by the calcium-ion-dependent phosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase of pig brain
Authors: Hirasawa K , Irvine R F , Dawson R M C
Published: August 2015

1. The activity of Ca2+-dependent phosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.10) of pig brain against [32P]phosphatidylinositol monolayers at an air/water interface has been measured. As the monolayer pressure was increased a sharp cut-off of enzymic hydrolysis occurred at 33 × 10(-3) N/m. 2. The addition of either phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylglycerol or oleyl alcohol increased the film pressure at which cut off occurred, as well as increasing the rate of hydrolysis at lower pressures. 3. The rate of hydrolysis, but not the cut-off pressure, was markedly increased by oleic acid and slightly increased by phosphatidylethanolamine. 4. Phosphatidylcholine, palmitoylcholine and octadecylamine decreased the cut-off pressure, as well as the enzymic activity below this pressure. 5. Stearic acid and stearyl alcohol had no effect on either the cut-off pressure or the activity. 6. All activators decreased the length of the lag phase before enzyme activity began, and phosphatidylcholine increased it. 7. These results are compared with the stimulatory and inhibitory effects of various amphiphiles observed previously with phosphatidylinositol dispersions [Irvine, Hemington & Dawson (1979) Eur. J. Biochem. 99, 525-530], and their possible relevance to the control of the phosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase in vivo are discussed.
The influence of pH on the equilibrium distribution of iron between the metal-binding sites of human transferrin
Authors: Chasteen N D , Williams J
Published: August 2015

The dependence of the metal-binding properties of transferrin on pH in the pH 6–9 range was investigated by urea/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Equations are presented for calculating the relative values of the four conditional site constants for the stepwise binding of iron to the two sites of transferrin and for calculating the equilibrium distribution of the protein among the four principal forms, apotransferrin, the C-terminal and N-terminal monoferric transferrins and diferric transferrin. The relative affinity of iron for the two sites and the co-operativity of iron-binding follow characteristic ‘pH titration’ curves. A mathematical model that can account for the former behaviour is presented. In both cases the metal-binding sites are affected by the ionization of functional groups with apparent pKa values near physiological pH approx. 7.4. There is strong positive co-operatively in the release of protons from these groups. The results indicate that pH must be accurately controlled in studies of the differential properties of the two sites of the transferrin molecule.
Involvement of γ-glutamyltransferase in amino-acid uptake by the lactating mammary gland of the rat
Authors: Viña J , Puertes I R , Estrela J M , Viña J R , Galbis J L
Published: August 2015

1. Arteriovenous differences of amino acids across the lactating mammary gland have been measured in normal rats and in rats injected with serine–borate (an inhibitor of gamma-glutamyltransferase). 2. Comparison of the arteriovenous differences show that gamma-glutamyltransferase is involved in amino-acid uptake by the gland. 3. Reduced-glutathione content of isolated acini incubated with high concentrations of amino acids was lower than that of the controls. 4. High concentrations of amino acids had no effect on reduced-glutathione content of isolated acini when serine–borate was added to the incubation medium. 5. The findings provide evidence for the functioning of the gamma-glutamyl cycle in the lactating mammary gland in vivo.
Effects of dopamine on prolactin secretion and cyclic AMP accumulation in the rat anterior pituitary gland
Authors: Ray Keith P. , Wallis Michael
Published: August 2015

The effects of dopamine on pituitary prolactin secretion and pituitary cyclic AMP accumulation were studied by using anterior pituitary glands from adult female rats, incubated in vitro. During 2h incubations, significant inhibition of prolactin secretion was achieved at concentrations between 1 and 10nm-dopamine. However, 0.1–1μm-dopamine was required before a significant decrease in pituitary cyclic AMP content was observed. In the presence of 1μm-dopamine, pituitary cyclic AMP content decreased rapidly to reach about 75% of the control value within 20min and there was no further decrease for at least 2h. Incubation with the phosphodiesterase inhibitors theophylline (8mm) or isobutylmethylxanthine (2mm) increased pituitary cyclic AMP concentrations 3- and 6-fold respectively. Dopamine (1μm) had no effect on the cyclic AMP accumulation measured in the presence of theophylline, but inhibited the isobutylmethylxanthine-induced increase by 50%. The dopamine inhibition of prolactin secretion was not affected by either inhibitor. Two derivatives of cyclic AMP (dibutyryl cyclic AMP and 8-bromo cyclic AMP) were unable to block the dopamine (1μm) inhibition of prolactin secretion, although 8-bromo cyclic AMP (2mm) significantly stimulated prolactin secretion and both compounds increased somatotropin (growth hormone) release. Cholera toxin (3μg/ml for 4h) increased pituitary cyclic AMP concentrations 4–5-fold, but had no effect on prolactin secretion. The inhibition of prolactin secretion by dopamine was unaffected by cholera toxin, despite the fact that dopamine had no effect on the raised pituitary cyclic AMP concentration caused by this factor. Dopamine had no significant effect on either basal or stimulated somatotropin secretion under any of the conditions tested. We conclude that the inhibitory effects of dopamine on prolactin secretion are probably not mediated by lowering of cyclic AMP concentration, although modulation of the concentration of this nucleotide in some other circumstances may alter the secretion of the hormone.
Isolation and characterization of a mannose/N-acetylglucosamine/fucose-binding protein from rat liver
Authors: Townsend R , Stahl P
Published: August 2015

A rat liver mannan-binding protein was isolated by affinity chromatography on invertase–Sepharose by a modification of the method of Kawasaki, Etoh & Yamashina [(1978) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 81, 1018-1024] and by a new method involving chromatography on mannose-Sepharose. The binding protein appears as a single band on sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis with an apparent mol.wt. of approx. 30000. Binding of 125I-labelled mannan is saturable and inhibited by mannose, N-acetylglucosamine, or L-fucose but not by galactose or mannose 6-phosphate. Neoglycoproteins containing mannose, N-acetylglucosamine, or L-fucose, but not galactose, are inhibitory. The neoglycoproteins are 10000-fold more effective (based on moles of sugar) than are free monosaccharides as inhibitors. 125I-labelled mannan binding to the binding protein is calcium-dependent.
Age-dependent decay of cytochrome b5 and cytochrome b5 reductase in human erythrocytes
Authors: Matsuki T , Tamura M , Takeshita M , Yoneyama Y
Published: August 2015

Age-dependent decrease in cytochrome b5 was observed in erythrocytes from both a normal person and a patient with hereditary methaemoglobinaemia without neurological symptoms. With aging, concentrations of cytochrome b5 in erythrocytes from the patient were almost the same as those in the control. Age-dependent decrease in cytochrome b5 reductase activity in the control erythrocytes was also shown; however, the reductase activity was very low in erythrocytes from the patient over the whole age range. Our studies show that methaemoglobin content of erythrocytes seems to be dependent on the content of cytochrome b5 in the cells, both in the control subject and in the patient.
Equilibration of leucine between the plasma compartment and leucyl-tRNA in the heart, and turnover of cardiac myosin heavy chain
Authors: Everett A W , Prior G , Zak R
Published: August 2015

By 30min continuous infusion of [3H]leucine into rats, the specific radioactivities of plasma leucine and tissue-free and tRNA-bound leucine in heart were equal. The specific radioactivity of leucyl-tRNA in heart therefore follows a time course identical with that of plasma leucine soon after the start of infusion. The half-life of cardiac myosin heavy chain (5.5 days) was the same as that reported by other investigators who used the pulse-labelling protocol.
Rates of protein synthesis in skin and bone, and their importance in the assessment of protein degradation in the perfused rat hemicorpus
Authors: Preedy V R , Garlick P J
Published: August 2015

The perfused rat hemicorpus preparation, which has frequently been used to study muscle metabolism, contains 39% by weight of non-muscle tissue such as skin and bone. Both the concentration of RNA and the incorporation of [U-14C]tyrosine into protein indicate that the non-muscle components are more active in protein synthesis than is muscle. These observations have important implications for studies of amino acid metabolism, and in particular for the measurement of muscle protein degradation in the hemicorpus.
Cystine uptake by rat renal brush-border vesicles
Authors: McNamara P D , Pepe L M , Segal S
Published: August 2015

Uptake of L-cystine by brush-border membrane vesicles isolated from rat renal-cortical tissue was time-dependent and occurred in the absence of cystine reduction. A significant capacity for vesicular binding of cystine was observed. The amount bound increased with time of incubation and could be displaced by thiol reagents. At early time points, cystine uptake measured the transport of cystine into the intravesicular space. Total cystine uptake was mediated by multiple transport systems, including a low-Km high-affinity component which was shared by lysine, arginine, ornithine and glutamine and on which hetero-exchange diffusion of lysine and cystine was demonstrated.
Alternative metabolic fates of thymine nucleotides in human cells
Authors: Taheri M R , Wickremasinghe R G , Hoffbrand A V
Published: August 2015

Three types of experiments have been used to study the metabolism of thymine nucleotides by human cells. (1) Cells were labelled continuously with [3H]thymidine and the incorporation of label into DNA compared with the specific radioactivities of pools of individual thymine nucleotides separated by chromatography on polyethylene-imine-cellulose. (2) Cellular thymine nucleotides were labelled with [3H]thymidine at 13 degrees C, followed by incubation at 37 degrees C in unlabelled medium. Incorporation of label into DNA and loss of label from the nucleotide pools were monitored during the ‘chase’ period at 37 degrees C. (3) The experiments described in (2) above were repeated in the presence of the DNA-synthesis inhibitor cytosine arabinoside, in order to demonstrate more clearly and to quantify degradative pathways for thymine nucleotides. In phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes and in bone-marrow cells, only a proportion (25-60%) of labelled thymine nucleotide was incorporated into DNA, the rest being rapidly degraded and lost from the cell. In contrast, an established cell line (HPB-ALL) from a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia of thymic origin incorporated 100% of its exogenously labelled thymine nucleotides into DNA. These results indicated that alternative metabolic routes are open to thymine nucleotides in human cells. In lymphocytes from patients with megaloblastic anaemia and in normal lymphocytes treated with methotrexate, the utilization of labelled thymine nucleotides for DNA synthesis was more efficient than in controls. These results offer an explanation for the observation of a normal pool of thymidine triphosphate in the cells of patients with untreated megaloblastic anaemia even though the amount of this compound available for DNA synthesis appears to be decreased.
Activation of (arachidonyl) phosphatidylinositol turnover in rabbit neutrophils by the calcium ionophore A23187
Authors: Rubin R P , Sink L E , Freer R J
Published: August 2015

The addition of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 to rabbit neutrophils stimulated [14C]arachidonic acid incorporation into phosphatidylinositol and lysosomal enzyme secretion. A significant increase in phosphatidylinositol labelling was observed after a 2 min exposure to 0.1 microM-ionophore A23187. Maximum increases in rate of labelling were obtained with 1 microM-ionophore A23187 within 1 min, declining to basal rates after 15 min. Similarly, maximum rate of enzyme release occurred during the first 2 min of exposure to ionophore and release was essentially complete by 15 min. Threshold and peak ionophore A23187 concentrations for stimulating both processes were identical. In contrast with the specificity of phosphatidylinositol labelling induced by 1 microM-ionophore A23187 in the absence of cytochalasin B, ionophore also significantly stimulated labelling of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine in the presence of cytochalasin B. With a threshold ionophore concentration (0.1 microM), the enhanced incorporation of arachidonate was relatively specific for phosphatidylinositol in cytochalasin-treated cells. Ionophore A23187 did not accelerate labelling of phosphatidylinositol by [14C]acetate or [14C]glycerol, indicating that ionophore A23187 does not stimulate phosphatidylinositol synthesis de novo, although it did promote [14C]palmitate and [32P]Pi incorporation into neutrophil phosphatidylinositol. However, the increase in phosphatidylinositol labelling with these latter precursors was generally slower in onset and much more modest in magnitude than that observed with arachidonic acid. These results support the hypothesis that a Ca2+-dependent phospholipase, which acts on the arachidonate moiety of phosphatidylinositol, is responsible for initiating at least certain of the membrane events coupled to the release of secretory product from the neutrophil.
The composition of intracellular granules from the metal-accumulating cells of the common garden snail (Helix aspersa)
Authors: Howard B , Mitchell P C H , Ritchie A , Simkiss K , Taylor M
Published: August 2015

Certain cells in the hepatopancreas of the common garden snail (Helix aspersa) contain intracellular granules that are sites of metal-ion accumulation. These granules have been extracted and investigated by u.v. and i.r. spectroscopy, atomic-absorption spectroscopy, X-ray microanalysis, thermogravimetric analysis, enzymic assay and microanalysis. The deposits contain about 18% (w/w) water, 5% (w/w) organic matter and 76% (w/w) inorganic material of which the main components are Ca2+, Mg2+ and P2O7(4)-. The possible origin of these granules is discussed, as is their role in detoxifying heavy-metal ions.
The determination of lactate turnover in vivo with 3H- and 14C-labelled lactate. The significance of sites of tracer administration and sampling
Authors: Katz J , Okajima F , Chenoweth M , Dunn A
Published: August 2015

L-[3-3H,U-14C]Lactate was administered to starved rats either as a bolus or by continuous infusion. Tracer administration was performed two ways: injection into the vena cava and sampling from the aorta (V-A mode), or injection into the aorta and sampling from the vena cava (A-VC mode). The specific-radioactivity curves after infusion or injection differed markedly with the two procedures. However, the specific radioactivities of 14C-labelled glucose derived from [U-14C]lactate were similar in the two modes. The apparent turnover rates of lactate calculated from the 3H specific-radioactivity curves in the V-A mode were about half those obtained from the 3H specific-radioactivity curves in the A-VC mode. The apparent contribution of lactate carbon to glucose carbon calculated from specific-radioactivity curves of the A-VC mode was greater than that obtained from the V-A mode. The apparent recycling of lactate carbon calculated from the specific radioactivities for [U-14C]- and [3-3H]-lactate was greater in the A-VC mode than the V-A mode. [U-14C] Glucose was administered in the two modes, but in contrast with lactate the specific radioactivities were only slightly different. An analysis to account for these observations is presented. It is shown that the two modes represent sampling from different pools of lactate. The significance of sites of tracer administration and sampling for the interpretation of tracer kinetics of compounds present in intracellular and extracellular spaces, and with a high turnover rate, is discussed. We propose that for such compounds, including lactate, alanine and glycerol, the widely used V-A mode leads to a marked underestimate of replacement, mass and carbon recycling, and that the A-VC mode is the preferred method for the assessment of these parameters.
Phorbol esters induce synthesis of thromboplastin activity in human monocytes
Authors: Lyberg T , Prydz H
Published: August 2015

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), phorbol 12,13-diacetate and phorbol 12,13-didecanoate were all potent inducers of thromboplastin activity in human monocytes in vitro, whereas 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate and 4 alpha-phorbol had no such effect. A concomitant increase in titrable apoprotein III antigen was found (apoprotein III is the protein component of thromboplastin). The increase was inhibited by cycloheximide and actinomycin D and partly by alpha-amanitin. The increase of thromboplastin activity was therefore most likely due to synthesis de novo of apoprotein III. The response was approximately halved in the absence of serum or Ca2+. Retinol had a weak inhibitory effect, and retinoic acid was inhibitory only at concentrations that also induced signs of cytotoxicity. TPA caused an initial rise in monocyte cyclic AMP concentration of about 90-120 min duration. No increase in 45Ca2+ influx was induced over 2 h. Good correlation exists between induction of apoprotein III synthesis in monocytes in vitro and mouse skin-tumour promotion in vivo by the various phorbol derivatives. Substances inactive in tumour promotion do not induce the synthesis of apoprotein III. General activating and cytotoxic effects of TPA were monitored by determining release of lysozyme, beta-glucuronidase and lactate dehydrogenase.
Studies on the binding of iron by rabbit intestinal microvillus membranes
Authors: Cox T M , O'Donnell M W
Published: August 2015

1. 59Fe binding by microvillus membranes purified from rabbit intestine was studied by means of a microfiltration procedure. 2. Binding activity from ferrous ascorbate chelates was 100-fold greater than from ferric chelates of citrate and nitrilotriacetate. Dual-label experiments indicated dissociation of iron complexes before binding to the membranes. 3. Binding was inhibited at low incubation temperatures and was optimal at neutral pH. 4. Binding activity was reduced in ileal preparations when compared with membranes prepared from proximal intestine. 5. Initial binding velocity followed saturation kinetics over the range 45-450 microM-iron: it was weakly inhibited in the presence of excess Co2+ and V3+. 6. The data provide additional evidence for high-affinity iron-binding sites on the intestinal microvillus membrane and indicate properties that may reflect the functional significance of the binding step in the absorption pathway for iron.
Preparation and partial characterization of cell-free protein-synthesizing extracts from Tetrahymena pyriformis
Authors: David E T , Smith K E
Published: August 2015

1. We have examined methods necessary for preparing post-mitochondrial supernatants from Tetrahymena pyriformis strain HSM that are capable of efficient cell-free protein synthesis. 2. The requirements for optimum synthesis in these extracts are described. 3. Data relating to the kinetics of protein synthesis and the initiation capacity of these supernatants are presented.
Thyroid hormones and muscle protein turnover. The effect of thyroid-hormone deficiency and replacement in thryoidectomized and hypophysectomized rats
Authors: Brown J G , Bates P C , Holliday M A , Millward D J
Published: August 2015

We have investigated the effects of thyroidectomy, hypophysectomy and 3,3′,5-tri-iodothyronine replacement on protein synthesis and degradation in skeletal muscle in vivo. Thyroidectomy resulted in a decrease in the rate of protein synthesis as a result of a loss of RNA. However, RNA activity, the rate of protein synthesis per unit of RNA, was not decreased. This was the case in both young growing rats and mature nongrowing rats. Tri-iodothyronine treatment of thyroidectomized rats increased protein synthesis by increasing RNA concentration without changes in RNA activity, and this occurred even when food intake was restricted to prevent any increase in growth. The rate of protein degradation was decreased by thyroidectomy and increased by tri-iodo-thyronine replacement in both animals fed ad libitum and food-restricted animals. Hypophysectomy decreased protein synthesis by decreasing both RNA concentration and activity. these changes were reversed by tri-iodothyronine treatment even in the presence of persistent marked hypoinsulinaemia. This indicates that tri-iodothyronine can activate athe translational phase of protein synthesis in muscle in the absence of significant quantities of insulin. However, tri-iodothyronine does not seem to be obligatory for the maintenance of normal RNA activity in muscle, since in the thyroidectomized rat, in which plasma insulin concentrations are normal, RNA activity is maintained. From a consideration of the magnitude of changes in RNA activity observed in these experiments, it would appear that alterations in rates of elongation as well as initiation are involved in the changes in RNA activity.
Potent inhibition of membrane-bound rat intestinal alkaline phosphatase by a new series of phosphate analogues
Authors: Shirazi S P , Beechey R B , Butterworth P J
Published: August 2015

The inhibition by phosphonates and phosphate analogues of the alkaline phosphatase activity of rat intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles was studied at pH 7.5 and 30 degrees C. Phenylene-1,3-diphosphonate, 2,6-dinitrophenylphosphonate and phosphonoacetaldehyde were found to be competitive inhibitors, with Ki values in the range 16-80 microM. Adenosine 5′-[beta-thio]diphosphate and adenosine 5′[gamma-thio]triphosphate are also very potent inhibitors, with Ki values of approx. 10 microM. The inhibition produced by these thiophosphates was mainly competitive but with a slight non-competitive element. Adenosine 5′-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate is also a competitive inhibitor of the alkaline phosphatase, but oxidation of the ribose moiety of this compound with NaIO4 results in an active-site-directed irreversible inhibitor that could be of general use in studies of the mechanism of action of this enzyme.
Binding of aldolase to actin-containing filaments. Quantitative reappraisal of the interactions
Authors: Masters C J , Winzor D J , Nichol L W
Published: August 2015

Previously reported results of equilibrium-partition experiments on the interaction of aldolase with actin-containing filaments [Walsh, Winzor, Clarke, Masters & Morton (1980) Biochem. J. 186, 89-98] have been subjected to a more rigorous theoretical analysis involving consideration of the consequences of cross-linking interactions between enzyme and filament. The experimental results obtained with F-actin-tropomyosin are best described by a model with one binding site per heptameric repeat unit of filament and a value of 39000 M-1 for the site binding constant, k. Similar analyses of the influence of Ca2+ on aldolase binding to F-actin--tropomyosin--troponin substantiate the existence of two equivalent binding sites (k = 14900 M-1) for the enzyme on each repeat unit of the thin filament. The Ca2+-sensitivity of this interaction reflects either a decrease in the strength of aldolase binding to these two sites (k = 8200 M-1) or the elimination of one site.
The specificity of macrophage elastase on the insulin B-chain
Authors: Kettner C , Shaw E , White R , Janoff A
Published: August 2015

The specificity of macrophage elastase obtained from mouse peritoneal exudative macrophages was determined in the hydrolysis of the oxidized insulin B-chain. This elastase hydrolysed two bonds, namely Ala-Leu and Tyr-Leu. The rate of hydrolysis of the latter was two to three times greater than that of the former. The hexapeptide Glu-Ala-Leu-Tyr-Leu-Val, obtained by cleavage of the insulin B-chain, was not hydrolysed by macrophage elastase. When EDTA was present, proteolysis of the B-chain was not observed. The macrophage elastase is therefore different from the neutrophil elastase in specificity and mechanism.
Carbon-13 nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectroscopy of Forssman hapten
Authors: Koerner T A W , Cary L W , Li S C , Li Y T
Published: August 2015

The 13C n.m.r. spectrum of Forssman hapten was obtained at 25.16 MHz in [3H] chloroform/[2H] methanol (1:1, v/v), using purified glycosphinogolipid from canine intestinal mucosa (glycolipid I). All amide, olefin, anomeric, intersaccharide glycosidic ether, amide linkage, methyl and many methylene resonances were resolved and assigned. Analysis of the anomeric region reveals the following pentaglycosylceramide structure as originally proposed [Siddiqui & Hakomori (1971) J. Biol. Chem. 246, 5766-5769]: GalNAc (alpha 1 leads to 3) GalNAc (beta 1 leads to 3) Gal (alpha 1 leads to 4) Gal (beta 1 leads to 1) ceramide. Analysis of the amide, olefin and methylene regions reveals no alpha-hydroxy fatty acyl group and less than or equal to 6 mol% unsaturated fatty acyl groups are present. Chemical-shift assignments are reported for the anomeric and glycosidic ether carbon atoms of intersaccharide-linked alpha-galactose and N-acetyl-alpha-galactosamine residues. Two rules are proposed for the assignment of the anomeric form of 1 leads to 3 and 1 leads to 4 linkages of galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine residues present in the glycone of glyco-conjugates. The present study emphasizes the importance of the anomeric “window” (80-120 p.p.m.) in studies of glycone structure.
l-Lactate dehydrogenase from leaves of higher plants. Kinetics and regulation of the enzyme from lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)
Authors: Betsche T
Published: August 2015

1. L-Lactate dehydrogenase from lettuce (Lactuca sativa) leaves was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by affinity chromatography. 2. In addition to its NAD(H)-dependent activity with L-lactate and pyruvate, the enzyme also catalyses the reduction of hydroxypyruvate and glyoxylate. The latter activities are not due to a contamination of the enzyme preparations with hydroxypyruvate reductase. 3. The enzyme shows allosteric properties that are markedly by the pH. 4. ATP is a potent inhibitor of the enzyme. The kinetic data suggest that the inhibition by ATP is competitive with respect to NADH at pH 7.0 and 6.2. The existence of regulatory binding sites for ATP and NADH is discussed. 5. Bivalent metal cations and fructose 6-phosphate relieve the ATP inhibition of the enzyme. 6. A function of leaf L-lactate dehydrogenase is proposed as a component of the systems regulating the cellular pH and/or controlling the concentration of reducing equivalents in the cytoplasm of leaf cells.
Effect of molecular size of 125I-labelled poly(vinylpyrrolidone) on its pinocytosis by rat visceral yolk sacs and rat peritoneal macrophages
Authors: Duncan R , Pratten M K , Cable H C , Ringsdorf H , Lloyd J B
Published: August 2015

Rates of pinocytosis of different molecular-weight distributions of 125I-labelled poly(vinylpyrrolidone) by rat visceral yolk sacs and rat peritoneal macrophages were measured in vitro. Four preparations of mean molecular weights 50 000, 84 000, 700 000 and 7 000 000, were used. Macrophages captured the highest-molecular-weight preparation more rapidly than the other preparations. In contrast, rate of capture by the yolk sac decreased with increasing molecular weight. Incubations with a very-high-molecular-weight fraction derived from the 7 000 000-average-mol. wt. preparation clearly demonstrated that very large polymer molecules are not accumulated by the yolk sac, but are preferentially captured by macrophages. Analysis of the 125I-labelled poly(vinylpyrrolidone) internalized by the two cell types confirmed that low-molecular-weight material is preferred by the yolk sac, whereas the macrophage is less discriminating.
Inhibition of lipid-linked oligosaccharide synthesis by aryl phosphates
Authors: Kato S , Tsuji M , Nakanishi Y , Suzuki S
Published: August 2015

Our previous work has shown that phenyl phosphate acts as an exogenous substrate for GDP-mannose:dolichyl phosphate mannosyltransferase in rat liver microsomal fractions to give rise to phenyl phosphate beta-D-mannose, a compound which, unlike Dol-P-Man (dolichyl phosphate beta-D-mannose), cannot act as mannose donor for further mannose-adding reactions in microsomal fractions. The study has now been extended to the action of various aryl phosphates and structurally related compounds on several other glycosyltransferase systems in the microsomal fractions. (1) Examination of the ability of these compounds to accept sugars from various sugar nucleotides indicated that the individual compounds have specificity as sugar acceptors. Thus phenyl phosphate acted as an effective acceptor for both mannose and glucose, whereas benzenephosphonic acid was active only in accepting mannose. p-Nitrophenyl phosphate was a more effective glucose acceptor than phenyl phosphate, but had only 8% of the mannose-accepting activity of phenyl phosphate. (2) Phenyl phosphate had an inhibitory effect on the transfer of mannose form GDP-mannose to lipid-linked oligosaccharides and to glycoproteins in rat liver microsomal fractions. The inhibition depended on the concentration of phenyl phosphate and on the extent of inhibition of Dol-P-Man synthesis. It is proposed that phenyl phosphate has a direct effect on the synthesis of Dol-P-Man and that its inhibition of synthesis of lipid-linked oligosaccharides and glycoproteins could be a consequence of this effect.
Chromatin organization in the rat hypothalamus during early development
Authors: Whatley S A , Hall C , Lim L
Published: August 2015

The organization of chromatin in neuronal and glial nuclei isolated from different brain regions of rats during development was studied by digestion of nuclei with micrococcal nuclease. A short chromatin repeat length (approx. 176 base-pairs compared with that of glial nuclei from foetal cerebral cortex (approx. 200 base-pairs) was present in hypothalamic neurons throughout the ages studied, which was similar to the repeat length of cortical neurons from 7- and 25-day-old animals (approx. 174 base-pairs). Whereas in cortical neurons the chromatin repeat length shortened from approx. 200 base-pairs in the foetus to approx. 174 base-pairs in the first postnatal week, the short chromatin repeat length of hypothalamic neurons was already present 2 days before birth, indicating that hypothalamic neurons differentiate earlier than cortical neurons during brain development.
The influence of 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonate and dichloromethanediphosphonate on lysine hydroxylation and cross-link formation in rat bone, cartilage and skin collagen
Authors: Guenther H L , Guenther H E , Fleisch H
Published: August 2015

The effects in vivo of dichloromethanediphosphonate and 1-hydroxyethane 1,1-diphosphonate on collagen solubility, hydroxylation of lysine and proline and on the formation of collagen intermolecular cross-links were studied by using rat bone, cartilage and skin tissues. Dichloromethanediphosphonate decreased bone collagen solubility both in acetic acid and after pepsin treatment. Although none of the diphosphonates had any effect on the hydroxylation of proline, dichloromethane-diphosphonate, but not 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonate, increased the number of hydroxylysine residues in the alpha-chains of bone, skin and cartilage collagen. The stimulatory effect was dose-dependent. The dichloromethanediphosphonate-mediated increase in hydroxylysine residues in bone and cartilage was manifested in an increase of dihydroxylysinonorleucine, the cross-link that is formed by the condensation of two hydroxylysine residues. The cross-link hydroxylysinonorleucine, a condensation product of hydroxylysine and lysine, on the other hand, was decreased. The total number of intermolecular cross-links was not changed by the diphosphonate.
Calcium uptake in isolated brush-border vesicles from rat small intestine
Authors: Miller A , Bronner F
Published: August 2015

Ca2+ uptake in brush-border vesicles isolated from rat duodena was studied by a rapid-filtration technique. Ca2+ uptake showed saturation kinetics, was dependent on the pH and ionic strength of the medium and was independent of metabolic energy. Uptake activity was readily inhibited by Ruthenium Red, La3+, tetracaine, EGTA, choline chloride and Na+ or K+. The effect of variations in medium osmolarity on Ca2+ uptake and the ionophore A23187-induced efflux of the cation from preloaded vesicles indicated that the Ca2+-uptake process involved binding to membrane components, as well as transport into an osmotically active space. Scatchard-plot analyses of the binding data suggested at least two classes of Ca2+-binding sites. The high-affinity sites, Ka = (2.7 +/- 1.1) x 10(4) M-1 (mean +/- S.D.) bound 3.2 +/- 0.8 nmol of Ca2+/mg of protein, whereas the low-affinity sites (Ka = 60 +/- 6 M-1) bound 110 +/- 17 nmol of Ca2+/mg of protein. In the presence of 100 mM-NaCl, 1.7 and 53 nmol of Ca2+/mg of protein were bound to the high- and low-affinity sites respectively. Decreased Ca2+-uptake activity was observed in vesicles isolated from vitamin D-deficient as compared with vitamin D-replete animals and intraperitoneal administration of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol to vitamin D-deficient rats 16 h before membrane isolation stimulated the initial rate of Ca2+ uptake significantly. The data indicated that Ca2+ entry and/or binding was passive and may involve a carrier-mediated Ca2+-uptake component that is associated with the brush-border membrane. Altering the electrochemical potential difference across the membrane by using anions of various permeability and selected ionophores appeared to increase primarily binding to the membrane rather than transport into the intravesicular space. Since there is considerable binding of Ca2+ to the vesicle interior, a comprehensive analysis of the transport properties of the brush-border membrane remains difficult at present.
The influence of nerve section on the metabolism of polyamines in rat diaphragm muscle
Authors: Hopkins D , Manchester K L
Published: August 2015

Concentrations of spermidine, spermine and putrescine have been measured in rat diaphragm muscle after unilateral nerve section. The concentration of putrescine increased approx. 10-fold 2 days after nerve section, that of spermidine about 3-fold by day 3, whereas an increase in the concentration of spermine was only observed after 7-10 days. It was not possible to show enhanced uptake of either exogenous putrescine or spermidine by the isolated tissue during the hypertrophy. Consistent with the accumulation of putrescine, activity of ornithine decarboxylase increased within 1 day of nerve section, was maximally elevated by the second day and then declined. Synthesis of spermidine from [14C]putrescine and either methionine or S-adenosylmethionine bt diaphragm cytosol rose within 1 day of nerve section, but by day 3 had returned to normal or below normal values. Activity of adenosylmethionine decarboxylase similarly increased within 1 day of nerve section, but by day 3 had declined to below normal values. Activity of methionine adenosyltransferase was elevated throughout the period studied. The concentration of S-adenosylmethionine was likewise enhanced during hypertrophy. Administration of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) produced a marked increase in adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity and a large increase in putrescine concentration, but did not prevent the rise in spermidine concentration produced by denervation. Possible regulatory mechanisms of polyamine metabolism consistent with the observations are discussed.
The use of clustering techniques in the elucidation or confirmation of metabolic pathways Application to the branched-chain fatty acids present in the milk fat of lactating goats
Authors: Massart-Leën A M , Massart D L
Published: August 2015

The aim of this paper is 2-fold. (1) To propose the use of a group of mathematical techniques, called clustering, in the elucidation of complex metabolic relationships. (2) To apply clustering for the identification of related groups of saturated fatty acids having a common metabolic pathway for their biosynthesis in the milk fat of lactating goats. In this way, four groups of branched-chain fatty acids and two groups of straight-chain fatty acids are identified; the odd-numbered iso-, the even-numbered iso-, the anteiso-acids and the branched-chain fatty acids with methyl substitution in the chain, the odd-numbered straight-chain and the even-numbered straight-chain fatty acids. The long-chain fatty acids are not part of any group. The different metabolic pathways for their biosynthesis are discussed. From the results, it is concluded that clustering is indeed a potentially useful tool in the study of complex metabolic relationships.
Increased muscle calcium A possible cause of mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular necrosis in denervated rat skeletal muscle
Authors: Joffe M , Savage N , Isaacs H
Published: August 2015

Mitochondrial preparations derived from denervated rat skeletal muscle and paired controls were characterized with respect to their ability to take up externally added Ca2+. The denervated and control muscle homogenates and mitochondrial [Ca2+] were also determined. Our data indicate that the denervated mitochondria are able to take up less Ca2+ than the controls before uncoupling occurs. This defect is associated with elevated [Ca2+] in homogenate and mitochondrial fractions in the denervated state. The causal relationship between Ca2+ overload, mitochondrial functional damage and cell necrosis is discussed.
The biological properties of endotoxin-free human erythropoietin
Authors: Weiss T L , Goldwasser E
Published: August 2015

The biological effects formerly attributed to erythropoietin were generally observed using impure preparations of the hormone containing, among the impurities, bacterial endotoxin, a contaminant that has recently been shown to affect the haemopoietic system. Erythropoietin, purified to apparent homogeneity and freed of trace contamination by endotoxin (1) promotes erythroid burst formation from mouse marrow cells in semi-solid culture medium, (2) stimulates haemoglobin synthesis in rat marrow cell cultures, (3) stimulates transcription in mouse and rat bone marrow cell cultures and (4) causes the formation of the cytoplasmic mediator protein in rat marrow cells, which enhances transcription in isolated nuclei.
Evidence for the stimulation of dolichol and mannolipid synthesis by glucocorticoids in HeLa cells
Authors: Ramachandran C K , Hignite C E , Gray S L , Melnykovych G
Published: August 2015

The effects of addition of 1 microM-dexamethasone on the rate of transfer of mannose from GDP-mannose into mannolipid have been studied in HeLa cell cultures. Concurrent with an increase in incorporation of mannose into glycoproteins, the incorporation of mannose from GDP-mannose in vitro into mannolipid and dolichol-linked oligosaccharides was increased after dexamethasone treatment. Stimulation of mannolipid synthesis showed a correlation with the 11 beta, 17 alpha, 21-trihydroxy structure of C21 steroids. Dexamethasone treatment also resulted in an increased incorporation of acetate into dolichol and dolichyl phosphate. The results suggest that the effect of dexamethasone on the cell-surface glycoprotein accumulation is related to increased sugar-linked dolichol synthesis.
Phototoxicity of protoporphyrin as related to its subcellular localization in mice livers after short-term feeding with griseofulvin
Authors: Sandberg S , Romslo I
Published: August 2015

In mice, feeding with griseofulvin leads to the rapid accumulation of protoporphyrin in liver mitochondria. When liver mitochondria from mice fed with griseofulvin for 2 days are exposed to irradiation (320-400 nm), uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation followed by inhibition of respiration occurs at light doses above 3-5 kJ/m2. When combined preparations of mitochondria and lysosomes are irradiated, inactivation of enzymes occurs in the following order: succinate dehydrogenase greater than glutamate dehydrogenase greater than acid phosphatase greater than beta-glucuronidase. Qualitatively, the photodamaging effect of endogenously produced protoporphyrin is indistinguishable from that of externally added protoporphyrin. Quantitatively, however, when protoporphyrin is added externally, more protoporphyrin is taken up by lysosomes, and photoinactivation of the lysosomal enzymes is correspondingly more severe. The results are further evidence that porphyrin-induced photodamage is largely determined by the solubility properties of the porphyrins and the target structures [Sandberg & Romslo (1980) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 593, 187-195], and also that protoporphyrin-induced photodamage is essentially similar whether protoporphyrin is generated endogenously or added exogenously.
Rapid decrease in thymidine kinase activity of mouse cell temperature-sensitive mutants at a non-permissive temperature
Authors: Hyodo M , Suzuki K
Published: August 2015

A rapid decrease in the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA at a non-permissive temperature was observed in two temperature-sensitive mutants that were isolated from mouse FM3A cells. This change was not due to a decrease in the rate of DNA replication, but was closely associated with a decrease in thymidine kinase activity of these cells. Experiments to test thermolability of thymidine kinase in extracts showed that there are two components of the thymidine kinase, but there was no alteration in the sensitivity of the enzyme to high temperature. Also, the decrease in enzyme activity in the temperature-sensitive mutants at the non-permissive temperature occurred much faster than expected from the half-life of the enzyme in wild-type cells, which was measured in the presence of cycloheximide. These results suggested that the enzyme was somehow rapidly inactivated, or degraded, in the cells at the non-permissive temperature.