bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial hexokinase from small-intestinal mucosa and brain
Authors: Mayer R. J. , Hübscher G.
Published: August 2015

1. The submitochondrial localization of hexokinase activity in preparations of mitochondria from the small intestine of the guinea pig was studied by conventional methods. 2. Hexokinase activity in this tissue was predominantly associated with the outer mitochondrial membrane. 3. The inactivation of mitochondrial enzymes by trypsin in iso-osmotic and hypo-osmotic conditions was also used to determine the submitochondrial localization of hexokinase activity. 4. Hexokinase activity was found to be on the outside of the outer mitochondrial membrane. 5. It was shown that both type I and type II hexokinase activities are bound to the outside of the outer mitochondrial membrane. The types are present in the same ratio as that in which they occur in the cytosol of the cell. 6. Mitochondrial hexokinase from the small intestine did not show the latency phenomenon demonstrated by mitochondrial hexokinase from brain when subjected to a variety of treatments. However, hexokinase activity was solubilized from preparations of mitochondria from the small intestine by the same treatments as for mitochondrial hexokinase from brain. 7. The submitochondrial distribution of hexokinase activity in mitochondrial preparations from rat brain was determined by the trypsin inactivation method. 8. Hexokinase activity in preparations of mitochondria from rat brain was found on the outside of the outer membrane, between the mitochondrial membranes, and within the inner mitochondrial membrane. 9. Hexokinase from rat brain showed latency properties irrespective of its submitochondrial location.
The measurement of amino groups in proteins and peptides
Authors: Fields R
Published: August 2015

A technique is examined for determining amino groups with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid, in which the extinction at 420nm of sulphite complexes of the trinitrophenylated amino groups is measured. The sensitivity of the method is 5–200nmol of amino group. The method is especially suitable for checking the extent of blocking or unblocking of amino groups in proteins and peptides, owing to the short time required for reaction (5min at room temperature). The reaction of the reagent with thiol groups has been studied and was found to proceed 30–50 times faster than with ∈-amino groups of model compounds. The ∈420 of a trinitrophenylated thiol group was found to be 2250m-1·cm-1. The reaction with several amino acids, peptides and proteins is presented. The ∈420 of a typical α-amino group was found to be 22000m-1·cm-1 and that of an ∈-amino group, 19200m-1·cm-1. Difficulties inherent in the analysis of constituent amino group reactions in proteins are discussed.
Ferrochelatase and δ-aminolaevulate synthetase in brain, heart, kidney and liver of normal and porphyric rats. The induction of δ-aminolaevulate synthetase in kidney cytosol and mitochondria by allylisopropylacetamide
Authors: Barnes R. , Jones M. S. , Jones O. T. G. , Porra R. J.
Published: August 2015

1. δ-Aminolaevulate synthetase was detected in liver and kidney mitochondria prepared from normal rats. 2. The administration of allylisopropylacetamide induced an increase in δ-aminolaevulate synthetase in both liver and kidney mitochondria and the enzyme also appeared in the cytosol fraction of both tissues. Comparison with the distribution of glutamate dehydrogenase indicated that this soluble kidney δ-aminolaevulate synthetase was truly of cytosol origin and did not arise from disrupted mitochondria. The kidney cytosol enzyme was inhibited by 50% by 50μm-protohaem. 3. δ-Aminolaevulate synthetase could not be detected in mitochondria or cytosol from heart or brain from normal or porphyric rats. 4. The administration of allylisopropylacetamide caused little or no increase in ferrochelatase or cytochrome content of liver, kidney, heart or brain mitochondria.
Synthesis and enzymic hydroxylation of protocollagen model peptide containing a hydroxyproline residue
Authors: Kikuchi Y. , Fujimoto D. , Tamiya N.
Published: August 2015

1. Two protocollagen model peptides, Z-Gly-Pro-Hyp-Gly-(Pro-Pro-Gly)5 (Z, benzyloxycarbonyl) and AOC-(Pro-Pro-Gly)6 (AOC, tert.-pentyloxycarbonyl), were synthesized and hydroxylated with protocollagen proline hydroxylase. 2. The two model peptides were hydroxylated equally. The results suggest that the hydroxyl group of hydroxyproline contained in the N-terminal region of the peptide has no effect on the enzymic hydroxylation of the model peptide.
Methylation of nuclear proteins by dimethylnitrosamine and by methionine in the rat in vivo
Authors: Turberville C. , Craddock V. M.
Published: August 2015

1. The incorporation of methyl groups into histones from dimethylnitrosamine and from methionine was studied by injection of the labelled compounds, isolation of rat liver and kidney histones, and analysis of hydrolysates by column chromatography. 2. Labelled methionine gave rise to labelled ∈-N-methyl-lysine, di-∈-N-methyl-lysine and an amino acid presumed to be ω-N-methyl-arginine. 3. Administration of labelled dimethylnitrosamine gave rise to labelled S-methylcysteine, 1-methylhistidine, 3-methylhistidine and ∈-N-methyl-lysine derived from the alkylating metabolite of dimethylnitrosamine. In addition, labelled formaldehyde released by metabolism of dimethylnitrosamine leads to the formation of labelled S-adenosylmethionine, and hence to labelling of ∈-N-methyl-lysine, di-∈-N-methyl-lysine and ω-N-methylarginine by enzymic methylation. 4. The formation of ∈-N-methyl-lysine by alkylation of liver histones was confirmed by using doubly labelled dimethylnitrosamine to discriminate between direct chemical alkylation and enzymic methylation via S-adenosylmethionine. These experiments also suggested the possibility that methionine residues in the histones were alkylated to give methylmethionine sulphonium residues. 5. The extent of alkylation of liver histones was maximal at about 5h after dosing and declined between 5 and 24h. The methylated amino acids resulting from direct chemical alkylation were preferentially lost: this is ascribed to necrosis of the more highly alkylated cells. 6. Liver histones were about four times as alkylated as kidney histones; the extent of alkylation of liver histones was similar to that of liver total nuclear proteins. 7. Methyl methanesulphonate (120mg/kg) alkylated liver histones to a greater extent than did dimethylnitrosamine. Diethylnitrosamine also alkylated liver histones. 8. The results are discussed with regard to the possible effects of alkylation on histone function, and the possible role of histone alkylation in carcinogenesis by the three compounds.
The purification and properties of the respiratory-chain reduced nicotinamide–adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase of Torulopsis utilis
Authors: Tottmar S. O. C. , Ragan C. I.
Published: August 2015

1. An NADH–ferricyanide reductase activity has been isolated from the respiratory chain of Torulopsis utilis by using detergents. The isolated enzyme contains non-haem iron, acid-labile sulphide and FMN in the molar proportions 27.5:28.4:1. The preparation is free of FAD and largely free of cytochrome. 2. The enzyme catalyses ferricyanide reduction by NADPH at about 1% of the rate with NADH, and reacts poorly with acceptors other than ferricyanide. The rates of reduction of some acceptors are, as percentages of the rate with ferricyanide: menadione, 0.35%; lipoate, 0.01%; cytochrome c, 0.065%; dichlorophenolindophenol, 0.35%; ubiquinone-1, 0.08%. 3. Several properties of submitochondrial particles of T. utilis (non-haem iron, acid-labile sulphide, FMN and an NADH-reducible electron-paramagnetic-resonance signal) were found to co-purify with the NADH–ferricyanide reductase activity. Thus about 70% of the FMN and, within the limits of accuracy of the experiments, 100% of the non-haem iron and acid-labile sulphide of submitochondrial particles derived from T. utilis cells grown under conditions of glycerol limitation (but relatively low iron availability) can be attributed to the NADH–ferricyanide reductase. 4. It was also shown that the component of submitochondrial particles specifically bleached at 460nm by NADH [species 1 of Ragan & Garland (1971)] co-purifies with the NADH–ferricyanide reductase. 5. This successful purification of an NADH dehydrogenase from T. utilis forms a starting point for investigating the molecular properties of phenotypically modified mitochondrial NADH oxidation pathways that lack energy conservation between NADH and the cytochromes.
Enzymic synthesis of N-acetyl-l-phenylalanine in Escherichia coli K12
Authors: Krishna R. V. , Krishnaswamy P. R. , Rao D. Rajagopal
Published: August 2015

1. Cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli K12 catalyse the synthesis of N-acetyl-l-phenylalanine from acetyl-CoA and l-phenylalanine. 2. The acetyl-CoA–l-phenylalanine α-N-acetyltransferase was purified 160-fold from cell-free extracts. 3. The enzyme has a pH optimum of 8 and catalyses the acetylation of l-phenylalanine. Other l-amino acids such as histidine and alanine are acetylated at slower rates. 4. A transacylase was also purified from E. coli extracts and its substrate specificity studied. 5. The properties of both these enzymes were compared with those of other known amino acid acetyltransferases and transacylases.
Multiple forms of uridine kinase in normal and neoplastic rat liver
Authors: Krystal Gerald , Webb Thomas E.
Published: August 2015

Two species of uridine kinase with molecular weights of approximately 120000 (I) and 30000 (II) have been identified in the rat liver system. Species I predominates in the 7-day postnatal and adult rat liver and increases in the regenerating remnant of the latter after partial hepatectomy; the concentration of species II is low in these tissues. Species I also predominates in the slow-growing hepatomas 5123D and 7800. In contrast, II is the predominant form in the foetal rat liver and accounts for 40% of the total activity in the rapidly growing Novikoff ascites hepatoma. In contrast to species II, which was stable, species I was inactivated by preincubation for 30min at 37°C, before assay at 23°C.
Biosynthesis of levan and a new method for the assay of levansucrase activity
Authors: Ceska M.
Published: August 2015

The polysaccharide levan was synthesized in a solidified agar medium containing sucrose as a source of fructose. The biosynthesis was achieved by the enzyme levansucrase (2,6-fructan–d-glucose 6-fructosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.10), a small quantity of which was placed in circular wells cut in the agar gel. The enzyme slowly diffused through the agar–sucrose medium and the synthesis of levan was observed as circular white areas, the size of which was dependent on the time of incubation and the concentration of enzyme used.
The uptake and efflux of glycine from rat cerebral-cortex slices
Authors: Joanny P. , Barbosa E. , Hillman H. , Corriol J.
Published: August 2015

The kinetics of the influx and efflux of radioactive l-glycine was studied in slices of rat cerebral cortex. The influx showed saturation kinetics and was inhibited by l-alanine. Influx was dependent on the presence of Na+ ions and a metabolizable substrate. The efflux of glycine was accelerated by alanine. It was concluded that carrier-mediated facilitated diffusion was the mechanism of glycine uptake by, and efflux from, cerebral slices.
Effect of electrolytes and of distilled water on antigen–antibody complexes
Authors: Ternynck Thérèse , Avrameas Stratis
Published: August 2015

Specific immune precipitates dissolve in concentrated solutions of alkali-metal halides, and of alkaline-earth-metal halides and thiocyanates. The quantity of protein dissolved depends on the nature of the antigen–antibody system, on the proportion of the antigen in the precipitate, and on the avidity of the antibody. The extent of solubilization is a function of the temperature, of the volume of solution used and of the concentration of the ions in the solution, and also depends on the nature of these ions. The dissolving power of bivalent cations is greater than that of monovalent ones, and is as follows: Mg2+[unk]Ba2+[unk]Ca2+[unk]Sr2+. Antigen–antibody complexes and free antibodies, but no free antigen, are detected in supernatants of specific precipitates dissolved in solutions of electrolytes of low ionic strength. Antigen–antibody complexes, free antibodies and also free antigen are detected in supernatants of specific precipitates dissolved in solutions of electrolytes of high ionic strength. Comparable results are obtained when the electrolyte solutions are studied for their effect on the bonds formed between an antibody and its corresponding immunosorbent. Moreover, in the latter case, 50% of the fixed antibodies could be recovered by elution with distilled water.
Appearance of a methylated ribonucleic acid on illumination of Euglena gracillis cells grown in the dark
Authors: Perl M.
Published: August 2015

Investigation of the methylation of nucleic acids by [Me-3H]methionine after illumination of Euglena cells grown in the dark has shown that a high-molecular-weight nucleic acid fraction undergoes methylation after exposure to light for 60–120min. This methylated nucleic acid fraction was isolated both by sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation and exclusion chromatography on Sephadex G-200. The fraction was shown to consist of a preformed RNA that is present in cells grown in the dark and which on illumination is transmethylated by methionine.
Studies on flavonoid metabolism. Biliary and urinary excretion of metabolites of (+)-[U-14C]catechin
Authors: Das N. P. , Sothy S. P.
Published: August 2015

1. The biliary and urinary excretion of (+)-[U-14C]catechin was studied in normal male rats after a single injection of the flavonoid. 2. In rats large amounts of radioactivity (33.6–44.3% of the dose in 24h) were excreted in the bile as two glucuronide conjugates [one of which was a (+)-catechin conjugate] and three other unconjugated metabolites. 3. Excretion of radioactivity in the urine when the bile duct was not cannulated amounted to 44.5% of the dose. 4. In both the urine and bile the new metabolites showed maximum excretion in the ½–1½h after intravenous injection of [14C]catechin. 5. The metabolites m-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid, p-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid, δ-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone and δ-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactione originate from the action of the intestinal micro-organisms on the biliary-excreted metabolites of (+)-catechin. These phenolic acid and lactone metabolites are then reabsorped and excreted in the urine. 6. It is proposed that, depending on the route of administration of (+)-catechin, there exists an alternative pathway, involving biliary excretion, for the metabolism of (+)-catechin.
Hydroxylysine in the N-terminal regions of the α1- and α2-chains of various collagens
Authors: Barnes M. J. , Constable B. J. , Morton L. F. , Kodicek E.
Published: August 2015

The degree of hydroxylation of the lysine residue located in both α1- and α2-chains of collagen in the N-terminal, non-helical telopeptide region of the molecule has been determined in collagen from various sources after isolation of the peptides (α1- and α2-CB1) that contain the lysine residue in question and are obtained by cyanogen bromide cleavage of collagen α1- and α2-chains respectively. As with collagen from chick tibia, bone collagens from rat tibia and femur and embryonic chick frontal bone, have a high degree of hydroxylation (approx. 50% or more) of the lysine residue in both α1- and α2-CB1 peptides. This is in contrast with the lack of hydroxylation of this residue in both α1- and α2-chains of all skin collagens so far examined. The presence of hydroxylysine in α1- and α2-CB1 peptides from tendon collagen is also indicated. In rat tail tendon collagen the amount of hydroxylation is only slight but in the much less soluble tendon collagen from embryonic chick leg tendons, approximately one-third of the lysine is hydroxylated.
Structural proteins in the egg-shell of the oriental garden cricket, Gryllus mitratus
Authors: Kawasaki Hiroya , Sato Hitoshi , Suzuki Motoko
Published: August 2015

1. The egg-shell of the oriental garden cricket, Gryllus mitratus, contained at least two different types of structural protein in an approximate ratio of 5:1. The major fraction was extracted in a solvent containing dithiothreitol, EDTA and 8m-urea, and was purified to apparent homogeneity as judged by free-boundary electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation. This was designated SH-fraction and its S-carboxymethyl derivative (CM-fraction) was also prepared. The minor fraction, insoluble in the solvent, was designated insoluble residue. 2. The major fraction was a phosphoprotein, rich in serine (29.8mol% of the total amino acids) and phosphate (nearly equimolar to serine), and O-phosphoserine was identified in its partial acid hydrolysate. The content of cystine was rather low (0.9mol%) in spite of the importance of this amino acid residue in the native form of the protein. The insoluble residue contained only a small amount of phosphorus, and its amino acid composition was clearly different from the major fraction. 3. CM-fraction, a fibrous protein with an average molecular weight of 57500, behaved as a typical polyanion owing to the high content of phosphate. SH-fraction and CM-fraction were precipitable from their aqueous solutions by the addition of bivalent metal cations, and the precipitation of CM-fraction by Ca2+ and Mg2+ was studied in detail. 4. When SH-fraction was exposed to air, intermolecular disulphide linkages were formed, yielding a net-like gel that changed its volume with changes in Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+. 5. The possible role of this protein fraction in maintaining the integrity of the egg-shell, and a comparison of its composition and properties with other egg-shell proteins and other phosphoproteins, are discussed.
Action of insulin and growth hormone on protein synthesis in muscle from non-hypophysectomized rabbits
Authors: Reeds P. J. , Munday K. A. , Turner M. R.
Published: August 2015

The separate effects of insulin and growth hormone on the uptake and incorporation of five amino acids into diaphragm muscle from non-hypophysectomized rabbits has been examined. Both growth hormone and insulin, when present in the medium separately, stimulated the incorporation into protein of the amino acids, leucine, arginine, valine, lysine and histidine. Insulin also stimulated amino acid uptake, but growth hormone did not. When insulin and growth hormone were present in the incubation medium together, the uptake and incorporation of valine, the only amino acid studied under these conditions, tended to be greater than the sum of the separate effects of the two hormones.
The non-enzymic hydroxylation of phenylalanine to tyrosine by 2-amino-4-hydroxy-6,7-dimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteridine
Authors: Woolf L. I. , Jakubovič A. , Chan-Henry E.
Published: August 2015

1. Phenylalanine is converted into tyrosine by incubation in air with 6,7-dimethyltetrahydropterin, which is a cofactor for the enzymic hydroxylation. This can cause serious inaccuracies in assays of phenylalanine hydroxylase. 2. The non-enzymic reaction is not specific for l-phenylalanine. 3. m-Tyrosine, o-tyrosine and dihydroxyphenylalanines are formed in addition to p-tyrosine; their chromatographic separation and assay are described. 4. l-[14C]Phenylalanine as purchased or soon after purification contains p- and m-tyrosine, both of which can cause errors in the assay of phenylalanine hydroxylase. 5. Catalase prevents the non-enzymic hydroxylation. Thiol compounds in low concentrations stimulate the reaction but in high concentrations are inhibitory. Fe2+ and metal complexing agents have small stimulatory effects. 6. The mechanism of the non-enzymic reaction and its possible relation to the enzymic hydroxylation of phenylalanine are discussed; it is suggested that phenylalanine is attacked by a peroxide of the cofactor.
Separation and structural analysis of vinyl- and isovinyl-azobilirubin derivatives
Authors: Jansen F. H. , Stoll M. S.
Published: August 2015

The coupling reaction of bilirubin with the diazonium salts of ethyl anthranilate or of aniline yields two isomeric azopigments. These can be separated by t.l.c. as their methyl esters. The mass spectra of each pair of azopigments are very similar, showing that they are isomers. Proton-magnetic-resonance spectrometric studies show that they differ in the positions of the substituents on the pyrrolenone end ring; in one compound the methyl and vinyl groups are interposed compared with the other compound. These azo compounds were used as reference standards for determination of the site of conjugation in bilirubin monoglucuronide prepared enzymically. Analysis showed that conjugation occurs at the carboxyethyl side chain of both sides of the bilirubin molecule. During the preparation of the ethyl anthranilate reference compounds a series of minor azopigments were isolated by t.l.c. Analysis of the mass spectra of many of these showed that three side reactions can occur: (1) methylation of the imide carbonyl group; (2) addition of methanol or water to the vinyl substituent; (3) transmethylation of the ethoxycarbonyl group.
The synthesis of ribonucleic acid in immature rat uterus responding to oestradiol-17β
Authors: Knowler J. T. , Smellie R. M. S.
Published: August 2015

Stimulation of incorporation of labelled precursors into the RNA of immature rat uterus is an early result of oestradiol-17β action. However, the extent of the increased incorporation varies with the mode of administration of the labelled precursors and with the weight of the rat. At the age and weight range normally used response is maximal at ten times control incorporation, 4h after the administration of 0.3μg or more of oestradiol-17β. Under these conditions the stimulation of incorporation into the acid-soluble fraction is only 2–2.5-fold. When the purified RNA is separated on polyacrylamide gels the major increase in incorporation of radioactive precursor is found in rRNA and 4S RNA; the formation of the former has been followed from the 45S precursor. Preceding these events by at least 30min, however, is an increase in the incorporation of precursor into RNA species of very high molecular weight, which remained in the first few slices of the gel. The possible significance of these findings is discussed. The increased synthesis of rRNA in response to oestradiol-17β is more strongly inhibited by actinomycin D than the synthesis of other RNA species. Cycloheximide, depending on time of administration and dosage, inhibits either RNA synthesis or the maturation of rRNA.
Sporulation in Bacillus subtilis. Effect of medium on the form of chromosome replication and on initiation to sporulation in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Mandelstam J. , Sterlini J. M. , Kay D.
Published: August 2015

Thymine-requiring mutants of Bacillus subtilis and mutants that are temperature-sensitive for initiation of chromosome replication have been used to study the relationship between sporulation and chromosome formation. The DNA synthesis that normally occurs when cells are transferred to sporulation medium is essential for spore induction. This is shown by the fact that thymine-starved cells are unable to form spores and are unable to perform even the earlier steps of sporulation, such as septum formation or synthesis of alkaline phosphatase. The nature of the medium in which the cells are growing while the DNA is being completed is also important because it determines both the shape and the position of the daughter chromosomes. If the cells are in a rich medium, the newly synthesized chromosomes are discrete and compact bodies: the cells are primed for growth, and sporulation cannot be induced by transferring them at this stage to a spore-inducing medium. If DNA synthesis was completed with the cells in a poor medium the daughter chromosomes, by the time DNA synthesis has ceased, are spread in a single filamentous band and the cells are morphologically already in stage I of sporulation.
Studies on proteolytic activity in commercial myoglobin preparations
Authors: Goldspink D. F. , Holmes D. , Pennington R. J.
Published: August 2015

Commercial myoglobin preparations from horse skeletal muscle degraded casein. The maximum activity was at pH8–8.5. A muscle myofibril preparation was also attacked. The protease could be partly separated from the myoglobin by selective ultrafiltration through a membrane with an exclusion limit of mol.wt. 30000. A greater than 1000-fold purification of the proteolytic activity was achieved by affinity chromatography with soya-bean trypsin inhibitor bound to CM-cellulose. The enzyme preparation hydrolysed p-toluenesulphonyl-l-arginine methyl ester and N-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-tyrosine p-nitrophenyl ester. Its activity was inhibited strongly by soya-bean and ovomucoid trypsin inhibitors, serum and the soluble fraction of muscle homogenates. EDTA, p-chloromercuribenzoate and phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride also caused some inhibition.
Green butyryl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase. An enzyme–acyl-coenzyme A complex
Authors: Engel Paul C. , Massey V.
Published: August 2015

1. Butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase from Peptostreptococcus elsdenii forms very tightly bound complexes with various acyl-CoA compounds. Spectra in some cases merely show resolution of the 450nm band, but those with acetoacetyl-, pent-2-enoyl- and 4-methylpent-2-enoyl-CoA show long-wavelength bands similar to the 710nm band of native enzyme. These complexes are formed instantaneously by the yellow form of the enzyme and much more slowly by the green form. 2. An acid extract of the green enzyme reconverts the yellow into the green form. 3. Hydroxylamine makes irreversible the otherwise reversible conversion of the green enzyme into the yellow form by phenylmercuric acetate. 4. Amino acid analysis for taurine and β-alanine shows approx. 1mol of CoA/mol of flavin in green enzyme. Anaerobic dialysis of reduced enzyme removes the CoA. On acid precipitation of green enzyme the CoA is found only in the supernatant. 5. It is concluded that native green enzyme is probably complexed with unsaturated acyl-CoA. This is shown to be consistent with findings of other workers. Catalytic activity requires displacement of the acyl-CoA, which is therefore likely to be a potent inhibitor. 6. An explanation is offered for the irreversible conversion of green into yellow enzyme by sodium dithionite. 7. The enzyme displays a feeble, previously undetected, activity towards β-hydroxybutyryl-CoA. 8. The product of oxidation of pent-4-enoyl-CoA forms a complex with reduced enzyme and strongly inhibits reoxidation of the FAD. This may contribute to inhibition of fatty acid oxidation by pent-4-enoic acid in mammals.
Effect of a single dose of dimethylnitrosamine on biosynthesis of nucleic acid and protein in rat liver and kidney
Authors: Stewart B. W. , Magee P. N.
Published: August 2015

1. Administration of a single dose of dimethylnitrosamine to rats temporarily fed on a protein-deficient diet causes a high incidence of kidney tumours. The effect of such a dose of dimethylnitrosamine (40mg/kg body wt.) on metabolism of nucleic acids and protein in rat liver and kidneys was examined during the week immediately after administration. 2. Incorporation of [14C]leucine and [14C]orotate into hepatic macromolecules was inhibited within 5h of injection of dimethylnitrosamine, and did not recover for at least 5 days. Interpretation of these results is complicated by the concomitant extensive hepatic necrosis. 3. Renal RNA synthesis was assayed by incorporation of [14C]orotate in vivo and measurement of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity in vitro. Both systems indicate biphasic inhibition; minimal activity was recorded 9h and 3 days after treatment. Changes in incorporation of [14C]leucine into renal protein were similar but less marked. 4. Sucrose-density-gradient analysis of renal cytoplasmic RNA indicated increased synthesis of rRNA 24h after injection of the nitrosamine. The rate of loss of radioactivity from kidney ribosomes pre-labelled with [14C]orotate was not modified by dimethylnitrosamine. 5. Dimethylnitrosamine increased incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into renal DNA. The three distinct periods of stimulated synthesis observed are discussed, with particular reference to recently published morphological studies of the sequential development of kidney tumours induced by dimethylnitrosamine in protein-depleted rats.
Occurrence of long-chain fatty acids and glycolipids in the cell-envelope fractions of baker's yeast
Authors: Nurminen T. , Suomalainen H.
Published: August 2015

1. The total yield of fatty acids from the whole envelopes was markedly higher than that obtained from the ordinary cell walls. In both samples the major fatty acids were C16 and C18 acids. 2. The whole envelopes contained C18 acids and long-chain (C19–C26) fatty acids, in a higher proportion than did the ordinary cell walls. Fifteen fatty acids with more than 18 carbon atoms were identified, among which 2-hydroxy-C26:0 and C26:0 acids predominated. 3. A complex sphingolipid containing inositol, phosphorus and mannose was isolated from the whole cell envelopes. The main fatty acids of this lipid were 2-hydroxy-C26:0 and C26:0 acids. It was concluded that this sphingolipid is present both in the ordinary cell wall and in the plasma membrane of baker's yeast. 4. The neutral lipids amounted to over 50% and the glycerophosphatides to about 30% of the total fatty acid content of the whole envelope. The major fatty acids in these lipids were C16:1, C18:1 and C16:0 acids. The proportion of fatty acids with more than 18 carbon atoms was lowest in the neutral lipids, whereas the neutral glycolipids contained the highest percentage of these fatty acids. Acidic glycolipids amounted to 14% of the total fatty acid content of the whole envelope. The presence of a cerebroside sulphate in this lipid fraction was demonstrated, whereas the high content of 2-hydroxy-C26:0 acid found is caused by the complex inositol- and mannose-containing sphingolipid.
Isolation of nitrotyrosine-containing peptides by using an insoluble-antibody column
Authors: Helman M , Givol D
Published: August 2015

Antibodies to nitrotyrosine were prepared in goats or rabbits by injecting a nitrotyrosine–protein conjugate. The antibodies were purified by using a protein that had been nitrated with tetranitromethane. These antibodies were used to isolate nitrotyrosine-containing peptides from nitrated lysozyme. The nitrotyrosine-containing peptides were thus purified (55% yield) in one step and the positions of nitration in lysozyme were found to be at tyrosine-20 and tyrosine-23. This method is of general applicability for the determination of the position of nitrotyrosine in proteins.
The formation of glycoproteins in tissues of higher plants. Specific labelling with d-[l-14C]glucosamine
Authors: Roberts R. M. , Connor A. B. , Cetorelli J. J.
Published: August 2015

1. Radioactivity from d-[l-14C]glucosamine is incorporated into ethanol-insoluble compounds of high molecular weight in a number of plant tissues, including roots of corn (Zea mays), callus cells of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), axenic cultures of duckweed (Lemna minor) and germinating seedlings of corn, broad bean (Vicia faba) and barley (Hordeum vulgare). 2. Except in the case of Lemna, where some of the radioactivity was recovered in glucose, hydrolysis of these ethanol-insoluble materials with acid released [14C]glucosamine as the major radioactive product. 3. The labelled compounds isolated from Zea roots and the Acer cells are believed to be glycoproteins rather than polysaccharides on the basis of their solubility properties, their charge characteristics and their susceptibility to hydrolysis by 0.5m-potassium hydroxide and by the proteases trypsin and Pronase. Further, radioactive peptides were isolated and purified after Pronase treatment and shown to contain glucosamine as well as a number of amino acids. 4. The experiments therefore indicate that d-[14C]glucosamine can be used as a specific precursor of the amino sugar units of plant as well as animal glycoproteins.
Control of leghaemoglobin synthesis in snake beans
Authors: Broughton W. J. , Dilworth M. J.
Published: August 2015

1. The finding that the plant is the genetic determinant of leghaemoglobin production in legume nodules was further tested by inoculating snake beans with two strains of Rhizobium selected to give large genetic differences. Carbohydrate requirement patterns, immunological techniques and DNA base ratio determinations were used to demonstrate genetic differences between the two rhizobial strains. 2. Partially purified preparations of the haemoglobins from the nodules produced by the two strains showed no differences when examined by electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing or ion-exchange chromatography. 3. Two different leghaemoglobins from each type of nodule were separated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. One of these was isolated in the Fe3+ form and accounted for two-thirds of the total leghaemoglobin. When it was examined in the analytical ultracentrifuge and by amino acid analysis, this major component did not vary with the inoculant rhizobial strain. The molecule had an s20,w of 1.88S, a diffusion coefficient of 10.7×10-7cm2·s-1 and a mol. wt. of 16700. 4. These results strongly support the hypothesis that the mRNA for leghaemoglobin is transcribed from plant DNA.
Degradation of heparin in mouse mastocytoma tissue
Authors: Ögren Sören , Lindahl Ulf
Published: August 2015

1. Heparin was prepared from mouse mastocytoma tissue by mild procedures, including extraction of mast-cell granules with 2m-potassium chloride, precipitation of the extracted polysaccharide with cetylpyridinium chloride from 0.8m-potassium chloride and finally digestion of the isolated material with testicular hyaluronidase. The resulting product (fraction GEH) represented approx. 40% of the total heparin content of the tissue. 2. Fraction GEH was fractionated by gel chromatography on Sepharose 4B into three subfractions, with average molecular weights (¯Mw) of approx. 60000–70000 (highly polydisperse material), 26000 and 9000 respectively. Treatment of each of the subfractions with alkali or with papain did not affect their behaviour on gel chromatography. Amino acid and neutral sugar analyses indicated that the two low-molecular-weight fractions consisted largely of single polysaccharide chains lacking the carbohydrate–protein linkage region. It was suggested that these heparin molecules had been degraded by an endopolysaccharidase. 3. Pulse labelling in vivo of mastocytoma heparin with [35S]sulphate showed initial labelling of large molecules followed by a progressive shift of radioactivity toward fractions of lower molecular weight. Further, heparin-depolymerizing activity was demonstrated by incubating 35S-labelled heparin in vitro with a mastocytoma 10000g-supernatant fraction. Appreciable degradation of the polysaccharide occurred, as demonstrated by gel chromatography. In contrast, no depolymerization was observed on subjecting 14C-labelled chondroitin sulphate to the same procedure.
The biosynthesis of gangliosides. Labelling of rat brain gangliosides in vivo
Authors: Maccioni H. J. , Arce A. , Caputto R.
Published: August 2015

1. After injection of [6-3H]glucosamine into 8-day-old rats it was found that all the major brain gangliosides and their sialyl groups were labelled at essentially the same rate, except the hematoside, which was the least labelled. In 18-day-old rats it was found that the two major gangliosides with the sialyl (2→8)-sialyl linkage, and their sialyl groups were more labelled than the hematoside, the Tay–Sachs ganglioside, the other two major gangliosides and their respective sialyl groups. 2. No difference was found in any of the cases studied between the specific radioactivities of the neuraminidase-resistant and -labile sialyl groups belonging to the same ganglioside. The same was found for the specific radioactivities of the galactosyl groups proximal and distal to the ceramide moiety of total brain gangliosides from rats injected with [U-14C]glucose. From this it was concluded that partial turnover of the ganglioside molecule does not occur. 3. A model for the synthesis of gangliosides is presented that accounts for results from previous experiments in vitro and the lack of precursor–product relationships observed in experiments in vivo.
The amino acid sequence of the B-protein of bacteriophage ZJ-2
Authors: Snell D. T. , Offord R. E.
Published: August 2015

1. Bacteriophage ZJ-2 is a filamentous male-specific coliphage. Methods are given for its preparation and separation into nucleic acid and the major coat-protein component (B-protein). 2. The determination of the amino acid sequence of the B-protein of bacteriophage ZJ-2 is described. The principal features of this aspect of the work were the special procedures dictated by the insolubility of the protein and the extreme insolubility of its fragments. The sequence is compared with that obtained by other workers for the coat protein of the related bacteriophage fd.
Chromatographic evidence for the existence of multiple forms of cathepsin B1
Authors: Franklin Samuel G. , Metrione Robert M.
Published: August 2015

Preparations of ox spleen cathepsin B1 have been found to give multiple peaks of activity upon chromatography on DEAE-cellulose in NaCl gradients or by equilibrium chromatography in 0.05m-NaCl. CM-cellulose gradient chromatography also shows several cathepsin B1 peaks. This evidence indicates that ox spleen cathepsin B1 can exist in at least three to five forms. All forms have the same molecular weight, are thiol-activated and are inhibited by typical thiol inhibitors. The possible sources of this multiplicity of activity are discussed and a possible physiological role for cathepsin B2 is suggested.
The regulatory proteins of the myofibril. Separation and biological activity of the components of inhibitory-factor preparations
Authors: Wilkinson J. M. , Perry S. V. , Cole H. A. , Trayer I. P.
Published: August 2015

1. Inhibitory-factor preparations isolated from myofibrils were shown to consist principally of proteins with molecular weights of 37000 and 23000. Under certain preparative procedures an additional component of molecular weight 14000 was present. 2. The 23000-dalton protein, the inhibitory factor, was the major active component. Its activity was enhanced by tropomyosin. 3. The 14000-dalton component also possessed inhibitory activity, although less than that of the 23000-dalton component when compared on a molar basis. Its activity was not always enhanced by tropomyosin. The 14000-dalton component could not be detected in whole fresh myofibrils and the limited evidence available is compatible with its formation during the preparation of the troponin complex. 4. The 37000-dalton component could not replace the inhibitory factor, calcium-sensitizing factor or tropomyosin as components of the relaxing-protein system. 5. All three components had distinctive amino acid compositions, particularly in their cysteine content.
Purification, properties and substrate specificity of adenosine triphosphate sulphurylase from spinach leaf tissue
Authors: Shaw W. H. , Anderson J. W.
Published: August 2015

1. ATP sulphurylase was purified up to 1000-fold from spinach leaf tissue. Activity was measured by sulphate-dependent [32P]PPi–ATP exchange. The enzyme was separated from Mg2+-requiring alkaline pyrophosphatase (which interferes with the PPi–ATP-exchange assay) and from other PPi–ATP-exchange activities. No ADP sulphurylase activity was detected. 2. Sulphate was the only form of inorganic sulphur that catalysed PPi–ATP exchange; Km (sulphate) was 3.1mm, Km (ATP) was 0.35mm and the pH optimum was 7.5–9.0. The enzyme was insensitive to thiol-group reagents and required either Mg2+ or Co2+ for activity. 3. The enzyme catalysed [32P]PPi–dATP exchange; Km (dATP) was 0.84mm and V (dATP) was 30% of V (ATP). Competition between ATP and dATP was demonstrated. 4. Selenate catalysed [32P]PPi–ATP exchange and competed with sulphate; Km (selenate) was 1.0mm and V (selenate) was 30% of V (sulphate). No AMP was formed with selenate as substrate. Molybdate did not catalyse PPi–ATP exchange, but AMP was formed. 5. Synthesis of adenosine 5′-[35S]sulphatophosphate was demonstrated by coupling purified ATP sulphurylase and Mg2+-dependent alkaline pyrophosphatase (also prepared from spinach) with [35S]sulphate and ATP as substrates; adenosine 5′-sulphatophosphate was not synthesized in the absence of pyrophosphatase. Some parameters of the coupled system are reported.
Chemical compositions of elastins isolated from aortas and pulmonary tissues of humans of different ages
Authors: John R. , Thomas J.
Published: August 2015

1. Elastins were isolated from the visceral pleuras and parenchymas of lungs of humans of different ages. 2. The elastin content of pleuras increased whereas that of parenchymas remained constant with increasing age. 3. The amino acid compositions and carbohydrate contents of elastins isolated from both pulmonary tissues changed in the same way with increasing age of the subjects. These changes were similar to those observed in elastins isolated from the aorta. 4. Similar glycoproteins were isolated from pleuras and aortas, and were more difficult to extract from the elastins of older subjects. Contamination with these glycoproteins was responsible for the changes in composition of elastin, as the age of the tissue from which it was extracted increased. 5. The amount of the cross-linking amino acids desmosine and isodesmosine was lower in elastins isolated from both aorta and pulmonary tissues of senile subjects than those from younger subjects.
Phosphoric acid triester–glutathione alkyltransferase. A mechanism for the detoxification of dimethyl phosphate triesters
Authors: Hutson D. H. , Pickering B. A. , Donninger C.
Published: August 2015

1. 2-Chloro-1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)vinyl dimethyl phosphate (tetrachlorvinphos) is demethylated by mammalian liver supernatant (100000g) protein in the presence of GSH. 2. GSH acts as an acceptor of the transferred methyl group to form S-methyl glutathione. 3. The enzyme that catalyses this reaction is present in the soluble fraction of liver from mouse, rat, rabbit and pig at similar activity. The enzyme was purified 45-fold from pig liver, dimethyl 1-naphthyl phosphate being used as assay substrate. 4. Methyl groups are readily removed from most of the substrates studied; ethyl groups are removed at one-fiftieth to one-hundredth of the rate for methyl groups. It is likely that the enzyme plays an important role in the detoxification of the phosphate triester pesticides containing CH3–O–P groups.
A linear equation that describes the steady-state kinetics of enzymes and subcellular particles interacting with tightly bound inhibitors
Authors: Henderson Peter J. F.
Published: August 2015

When an enzyme exhibits a high affinity for an inhibitor, the steady-state analysis of the mechanism is complicated by the non-linearity of normal dose–response plots or of reciprocal replots. It is shown here that dose–response measurements generate a linear plot of inhibitor concentration divided by degree of inhibition against velocity without inhibitor divided by velocity with inhibitor; the concentration of enzyme may be derived from the extrapolated intercept of such plots, and the mechanism of inhibition from replots of the variation of the slope with substrate concentration. The limiting cases where virtually all inhibitor molecules are bound or virtually all are free are described, together with the situation when a significant proportion of the substrate becomes bound. This type of analysis indicates that the inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation, rutamycin and bongkrekic acid, are tightly bound to rat liver mitochondria.
The biosynthesis of C55 polyprenols by a cell-free preparation of Lactobacillus plantarum
Authors: Durr I. F. , Habbal M. Z.
Published: August 2015

A cell-free supernatant of lysates of Lactobacillus plantarum catalyses the synthesis of lipids from [2-14C]mevalonate. Of the added mevalonate, 7.5% is incorporated into lipids, which were fractionated into five components. About 4% of the radioactivity in these lipids co-chromatographs with compounds shown by mass spectrometry, n.m.r. and i.r. spectroscopy to be C55 polyprenols, and about 2% co-chromatographs with a hexamer. The rest of the radioactivity is in more complex fractions. Analysis by mass spectrometry, n.m.r. and i.r. spectroscopy shows that the major C55 polyprenol is undecaprenol, accompanied by an isomer containing one reduced isoprene unit. A Kuhn–Roth degradation of [14C]polyprenols indicates that the supernatant catalyses synthesis of these compounds de novo.
The time-course of the effects of ethanol on the redox and phosphorylation states of rat liver
Authors: Veech R. L. , Guynn R. , Veloso D.
Published: August 2015

1. The time-course of the effects of ethanol administration on the metabolite concentrations, redox states and phosphorylation state was studied in the freeze-clamped liver of starved rats. The response was found to vary with the time after ethanol administration. 2. Administration of ethanol caused an immediate decrease in the [NAD+]/[NADH] ratio of both cytoplasm and mitochondria, which persisted over the 30min studied. 3. The free cytoplasmic [NADP+]/[NADPH] ratio in liver decreases immediately after ethanol administration but returns nearly to control values after 15min. 4. The cytoplasmic [ATP]/[ADP][HPO42-] ratio is elevated 15min after ethanol administration in the starved rat. 5. The rapid and large changes in most metabolite concentrations measured appeared to result from the maintenance of near-equilibrium in a wide interlinked network. 6. Differences between fed and starved rats 15min after ethanol administration were slight.
The lipid–teichoic acid complex in the cytoplasmic membrane of Streptococcus faecalis N.C.I.B. 8191
Authors: Toon P. , Brown P. E. , Baddiley J.
Published: August 2015

1. A lipid–teichoic acid complex was isolated from Streptococcus faecalis N.C.I.B. 8191. The covalent nature of the linkage between teichoic acid and lipid was established. 2. The complex exhibits macromolecular properties in solution, and ultracentrifugation studies show that these are due to micelle formation. 3. From chemical studies it is concluded that the teichoic acid is a poly(glycerol phosphate) in which some of the glycerol hydroxyl groups possess kojibiosyl [2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-d- glucopyranosyl] substituents, together with d-alanine ester residues. 4. The lipid is 1-kojibiosyl diglyceride, already known as a membrane component of this organism, with probably a phosphatidyl substituent. The phosphatidyl kojibiosyl diglyceride is attached to the teichoic acid through a phosphodiester linkage, and the chain of the teichoic acid contains 28–35 units. 5. Although the complex represents the whole of the membrane teichoic acid in this organism, only about 12% of the membrane glycolipid is associated with teichoic acid. 6. Two phosphatidyl glycolipids, closely resembling that bearing the teichoic acid, were isolated from the lipids of the organism and were partly characterized.