bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of 1-fluoro-2-nitro-4-trimethylammoniobenzene iodide, a protein-solubilizing reagent
Authors: Sutton D. A. , Drewes S. E. , Welz Ursula
Published: August 2015

The new protein reagent 1-fluoro-2-nitro-4-trimethylammoniobenzene iodide reacts with model amino acids to give derivatives that are very stable to hydrolysis. In a dimethyl sulphoxide–water medium it reacts rapidly (3h) with bovine insulin, and substitution occurs quantitatively at the N-terminal amino groups and at the ∈-amino groups of lysine residues. Two of the four tyrosine residues react, and it is assumed that these are the exposed groups leaving the buried groups unattacked. Unlike 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and related reagents, it imparts hydrophilic properties to the protein derivative, thus facilitating structural and other studies on the derivative. Circular-dichroism spectra of the modified insulin suggest that no conformational changes have occurred during reaction. These spectra also reveal the presence of an extrinsic Cotton effect at 410nm.
The dissociation of avidin–biotin complexes by guanidinium chloride
Authors: Green N. M. , Toms E. J.
Published: August 2015

Avidin molecules in which a fraction of the four binding sites were occupied by biotin did not dissociate completely in 6.4m-guanidinium chloride. Only unoccupied subunits dissociated. The remainder recombined to form the tetrameric avidin–biotin complex. The rate at which unoccupied subunits were unfolded and dissociated was only decreased by one-half in species in which three of the four binding sites were occupied by biotin. These results can be explained by assuming that unfolding of unoccupied subunits followed by dissociation from the tetramer is initiated by penetration of guanidinium ions into the binding site and disorganization of this region of the subunit. When a site is occupied by biotin this pathway is blocked and the subunit does not unfold. Each subunit behaves independently and is not markedly stabilized when neighbouring subunits are occupied.
Partial purification and properties of the two common inherited forms of human erythrocyte adenylate kinase
Authors: Brownson C. , Spencer N.
Published: August 2015

1. The partial purification of adenylate kinase, types 1 and 2, from human erythrocytes is described. 2. Gel chromatography of both forms of the enzyme gave estimates of the molecular weights in the range 20000–23000. 3. Studies on crude haemolysates at various pH values indicated that the type 2 enzyme was less stable than the type 1. Heat denaturation studies on the partially purified enzymes confirmed these findings. 4. Measurements of rates of inhibition by iodoacetate and iodoacetamide showed that the type 2 enzyme reacts more readily than the type 1 enzyme with both reagents. 5. The effect of temperature on the initial velocity of ADP formation was measured at a single concentration of both AMP and MgATP2-. The two forms of the enzyme responded differently to increasing temperature.
Kinetic studies on the two common inherited forms of human erythrocyte adenylate kinase
Authors: Brownson C. , Spencer N.
Published: August 2015

1. The kinetic properties of two genetic variants of human erythrocyte adenylate kinase were studied at limiting concentrations of both ADP and MgADP- in the forward direction and at limiting concentrations of both AMP and MgATP2- in the reverse direction. 2. Primary reciprocal plots rule out the possibility of a Ping Pong mechanism for both forms of the enzyme. 3. Analysis of the kinetic data by an appropriate computer program gave the following Km values for the type 1 enzyme: AMP, 0.33mm±0.1; MgATP2-, 0.95mm±0.13; ADP, 0.12mm±0.03; MgADP-, 0.22mm±0.04. Values for the type 2 enzyme were: AMP, 0.27mm±0.03; MgATP2-, 0.40mm±0.05; ADP, 0.08mm±0.07; MgADP-, 0.20mm±0.04. 4. Product inhibition studies were done by studying the reverse reaction. With ADP as product inhibitor competitive inhibition patterns were obtained with AMP and/or MgATP2- as variable substrate. Similar results were obtained for product inhibition by MgADP- with AMP as variable substrate. The results are consistent with a Rapid Equilibrium Random mechanism. 5. Secondary plots of slope versus product concentration were linear. The data were fitted to the appropriate equation and analysed by computer to give values for the product inhibition constants. 6. Differences between the values of certain kinetic constants for the two forms of the enzyme were observed.
The structure of ribosomes as indicated by studies on tetramers from hypothermic chick embryos
Authors: Carey N. H. , Hobbs J. R. W. , Cook E. A.
Published: August 2015

Ribosome tetramers induced in chick embryos by exposure to cold, and tetramers of large subunits derived from them, have been studied by electron microscopy and sucrose-density-gradient analysis. Individual ribosomes of the normal tetramer are elongated bean-shaped structures, 220–280Å by 195Å (1Å#x003D;10-1nm) with a cleft in the outer edge which divides the two-dimensional image into two unequal ends. Most of the tetramers appear to attach to the surface of the electron-microscope grid by one preferred face. The subunits of the large-subunit tetramers have a round outline and no cleft. About 25% of the subunits of these tetramers have a line running radially across the particle. The dissociation of tetramers into large-subunit tetramers and small subunits has been shown to be reversible. Mixtures of these particles from sucrose-density-gradient fractions were reassociated to give a tetramer with the same sedimentation coefficient as the original tetramer and with the same structure as viewed in the electron microscope. The results indicate that the cleft is a property of the complete ribosome, and that it marks the position of the small subunit. The reversibility of the dissociation also strengthens the view that no change in the large subunit occurs during dissociation or reassociation, i.e. that the sites of interaction between ribosomes in both types of tetramer are the same. The conclusions affect the interpretation of electron-micrograph images and an anomaly in the relationship between the two types of tetramer is discussed.
Isolation and characterization of lipoprotein B from high-density human serum lipoproteins
Authors: Kostner Gerhard
Published: August 2015

1. Lipoprotein B from female Lp(a)-lipoprotein-negative serum was isolated from the fraction of density 1.073–1.125 by using immunoadsorbent; 2.5mg of freeze-dried material was obtained from 100ml of serum from a fasting patient. 2. The hydrated density of this lipoprotein was found to be 1.084g/cm3. A flotation rate F1.200 of 9.4 and lipid/protein ratio 1.40 were found, similar to that of high-density (d 1.073–1.125) lipoprotein preparations. 3. From immunochemical and electrophoretic studies of the intact and totally delipidized lipoprotein B it was concluded that this lipoprotein represents a separate family within the high-density range of human serum lipoproteins. 4. The possibility that the isolated lipoprotein B is an artifact created by the isolation procedure is discussed.
X-ray crystallography and the amino acid sequence of lysozyme
Authors: Rees A. R. , Offord R. E.
Published: August 2015

Certain parts of the amino acid sequence of hen's-egg lysozyme were reinvestigated. The parts in question are those in which X-ray-crystallographic data were used to decide between the two reported versions of the sequence that were based on chemical data. We conclude that the X-ray evidence, in the main, led to the correct choice between the sequences.
The regulation of glycolysis in perfused locust flight muscle
Authors: Ford W. C. L. , Candy D. J.
Published: August 2015

Concentrations of glycolytic intermediates, amino acids and possible regulator substances were measured in extracts from locust thoracic muscles perfused under different conditions. The conversion of [14C]glucose into intermediates and CO2 by muscle preparations was also followed. When muscles perfused with glucose were made anaerobic changes in metabolite concentrations occurred that could be accounted for by an activation of phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase. When butyrate and glucose were present in the perfusion medium the rate of glycolytic flux was lower than with glucose alone, and the aldolase reaction appeared to be inhibited. When butyrate alone was supplied to the muscle the concentrations of most glycolytic intermediates were similar to those found when glucose was supplied. Iodoacetate caused changes in concentrations of intermediates that appeared to result from inhibition of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Fluoroacetate-poisoned muscles showed a high citrate concentration, but no obvious site of inhibition by citrate was apparent in the glycolytic pathway. Mechanisms for control of glycolysis in locust flight muscle are discussed and related to the known properties of isolated enzymes. It is proposed that trehalase, hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, aldolase, and pyruvate kinase may be control enzymes in this tissue.
Palmitoyl-coenzyme A synthetase. Mechanism of reaction
Authors: Bar–Tana J. , Rose G. , Brandes R. , Shapiro B.
Published: August 2015

The mechanism of long-chain fatty acid activation catalysed by highly purified microsomal palmitoyl-CoA synthetase was investigated. The kinetics of the overall reaction were found to conform to the Bi Uni Uni Bi Ping Pong mechanism. 18O was transferred from [18O]palmitate to AMP and palmitoyl-CoA exclusively. The enzyme intermediate formed appeared to consist of enzyme-bound palmitate; this formation occurred only in the presence of ATP. However, the involvement of palmitoyl-AMP in the reaction catalysed by the purified enzyme has proved difficult to establish.
Tryptophan 5-hydroxylase in rat intestine
Authors: Noguchi T. , Nishino M. , Kido R.
Published: August 2015

Tryptophan 5-hydroxylase was partially purified from rat small intestine and characterized. The enzyme activity was mainly localized in the distal one-fourth of the small intestine. The enzyme required Fe2+, 2-amino-4-hydroxy-6,7-dimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteridine and oxygen for full activity. The pH optimum of the reaction was 8.0. The hydroxylation rate of d-tryptophan by the enzyme was one-third that of l-tryptophan. l-Phenylalanine and l-tyrosine could not serve as substrates. The physiological significance of the enzyme is discussed.
Aminolaevulinate synthetase of Micrococcus denitrificans. Purification and properties of the enzyme, and the effects of growth conditions on the enzyme activity in cells
Authors: Tait G. H.
Published: August 2015

1. 5-Aminolaevulinate synthetase was detected in extracts of the non-photosynthetic bacterium Micrococcus denitrificans. 2. Activity is high in cells grown anaerobically in a defined nitrate medium, but is low in cells grown in an iron-deficient medium, and in cells grown aerobically. 3. Aminolaevulinate synthetase was purified extensively; it has a molecular weight of about 68000; apparent Km values for glycine, succinyl-CoA and pyridoxal phosphate are 12mm, 10μm and 11μm respectively; 2μm-haemin and 14μm-protoporphyrin inhibit by 50%. 4. The low activity of aminolaevulinate synthetase in iron-deficient cells increases on adding iron salts to cells only under conditions where protein synthesis can occur. 5. In defined nitrate medium with a high Ca2+ concentration anaerobic growth yield is higher, but aminolaevulinate synthetase activity is lower than in cells grown in the medium with a low Ca2+ concentration. In medium made from AnalaR constituents, growth yield is low and aminolaevulinate synthetase activity is high even in the presence of high concentrations of Ca2+; on adding Cu2+ (0.1μm) to the medium growth yield and aminolaevulinate synthetase activity become the same as in non-AnalaR medium. 6. Cells incubated under conditions where protein synthesis does not occur but where electron transport does, lose their aminolaevulinate synthetase activity rapidly. 7. The activities of aminolaevulinate dehydratase and succinic thiokinase do not change under any of the conditions of growth examined. 8. The possible mechanisms controlling aminolaevulinate synthetase activity and the role of this enzyme in controlling the synthesis of haem in this organism are discussed.
Extraction of cartilage protein–polysaccharides with inorganic salt solutions
Authors: Mason Roger M. , Mayes Robert W.
Published: August 2015

1. Bovine nasal cartilage was extracted with inorganic salt solutions of various ionic strengths. The efficiency of extraction of protein–polysaccharide from the tissue was determined for each extraction. The results confirm and enlarge earlier observations (Sajdera & Hascall, 1969). 2. The chloride salts of lanthanide metals extract high yields of protein–polysaccharide from the tissue at much lower concentrations than was achieved with univalent and bivalent salts. 3. The lanthanum salt of extracted protein–polysaccharide precipitates when the concentration of LaCl3 is decreased. Precipitation is complete in the presence of 0.05m-LaCl3. This finding is relevant to the interpretation of earlier observations on the effect of LaCl3 on elastic recovery of articular cartilage after compression (Sokoloff, 1963). 4. A linear relationship was found between the concentration at which a particular salt is maximally effective in solubilizing protein–polysaccharide from the tissue and the enthalpy of hydration of the cation of the salt. On the basis of this relationship a hypothesis is proposed to explain the characteristic protein–polysaccharide-extraction profiles exhibited by inorganic salt solutions.
The preparation of activated Factor X and its action on prothrombin
Authors: Jesty Jolyon , Esnouf M. Peter
Published: August 2015

The preparation of activated Factor X from reaction mixtures of bovine Factor X and Russell's-viper venom is described. The molecular weight of purified protein varies about a mean value of 40000; this variation is the result of at least two forms of Factor Xa. The action of activated Factor X, together with purified Factor V, was studied on purified prothrombin and the reaction products were isolated. In addition to thrombin, two other polypeptides with molecular weights of 16000 and 19500 were recovered.
The subunit structure of horse spleen apoferritin: the molecular weight of the oligomer and its stability to dissociation by dilution (Short Communication)
Authors: Crichton Robert R. , Eason Robert , Barclay Allan , Bryce Charles F. A.
Published: August 2015

The oligomer molecular weight of horse spleen apoferritin was determined by sedimentation-equilibrium techniques and a value of 443000 found. It is concluded that the apoferritin molecule consists of 24 subunits. At concentrations as low as 0.01μm there is no evidence of subunit dissociation.
Glucose metabolism in the rat small intestine: the effect of glucose analogues on hexokinase activity (Short Communication)
Authors: Jones Gwyneth M. , Mayer R. John
Published: August 2015

The effect of intubation of starved rats with solutions of glucose, 3-O-methylglucose, mannose, 2-deoxyglucose and sorbitol on the subcellular location of hexokinase in the mucosa of the small intestine was studied. Glucose, 3-O-methylglucose and mannose caused the soluble hexokinase activity to rise to a value similar to that found in fed animals, whereas sorbitol and 2-deoxyglucose caused smaller increases.
Synthesis rates of protein in the Langendorff-perfused rat heart in the presence and absence of insulin, and in the working heart
Authors: Sender Peter M. , Garlick Peter J.
Published: August 2015

The synthesis rates of total heart protein and of sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar protein fractions have been determined by perfusion of isolated rat hearts with [14C]tyrosine at constant specific radioactivity. In hearts perfused without insulin, both myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic proteins were synthesized at a fractional rate of 10–11% per day. This corresponds to a half-life for synthesis of about 7 days. The effect of added insulin was to increase the rate of heart-protein synthesis to a half-life of 3–4 days. With hearts perfused via the left atrium and performing external work, there was a rise in the specific radioactivity of intracellular free tyrosine, and the half-life for synthesis of proteins was 3–4 days. The extent of labelling of individual myofibrillar proteins was estimated after polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of solubilized myofibrils in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. No particular protein showed an unusually high or low specific radioactivity after labelling in perfusion. Insulin caused a general increase in labelling of all the proteins analysed.
Degradation of glucose-metabolizing enzymes in the rat small intestine during starvation
Authors: Jones Gwyneth M. , Mayer R. J.
Published: August 2015

1. The degradation rates and half-lives of hexokinase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, phosphoglycerate kinase and aldolase were calculated from measurements of the decline in activities of these enzymes in rat small intestine during starvation. 2. The half-lives of the enzymes are: hexokinase, 5.7h; 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, 7.6h; glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6.0h; pyruvate kinase, 8.9h; lactate dehydrogenase, 8.7h; phosphoglycerate kinase, 8.7h; aldolase, 5.1h. 3. The significance of the results is discussed with respect to the regulation of enzyme concentrations in response to changes in diet.
Confirmation of the 1–20 amino acid sequence of human adrenocorticotrophin
Authors: Bennett H. P. J. , Lowry P. J. , McMartin C.
Published: August 2015

The tryptic fragments of natural human adrenocorticotrophin, were separated by countercurrent distribution and a correction in positions 25, 26, 27 and 30 was made by Riniker et al. (1972) in a study of the fragment containing residues 22–39. We have purified the remaining tryptic fragments, namely residues 1–8, 9–15, 16–21 and 17–21, by using ion-exchange chromatography on CM-cellulose and have carried out sequence determination by using the subtractive Edman degradation procedure and digestion with aminopeptidase M and carboxypeptidase B. These results have confirmed the proposed sequence for human adrenocorticotrophin in regions 6–7, 10–14 and 17–20, which had previously been arrived at only by analogy with the invariant sequence found in the three other mammalian adrenocorticotrophin species that had been investigated.
The origin and consequences of concentration dependence in gel chromatography
Authors: Nichol Lawrence W. , Janado Masanobu , Winzor Donald J.
Published: August 2015

Concentration dependence of elution volume was determined for Blue Dextran 2000, Dextran 500, Dextran sulphate 500 and bovine serum albumin on columns of Sephadex G-100 equilibrated with sodium phosphate buffer, I 0.1, pH6.8. From the results for Dextran 500, it was shown that a linear relation exists between elution volume and the corresponding osmotic pressure calculated for the same concentration and incorporating the term containing the second virial coefficient. This relationship was used to predict the concentration dependence of elution volume for bovine serum albumin and myoglobin, proteins that partially penetrate Sephadex G-100. Possible consequences of osmotic effects are considered in relation to various types of column experiments, including differential chromatography.
The mechanism of action of β-galactosidase. Effect of aglycone nature and α-deuterium substitution on the hydrolysis of aryl galactosides
Authors: Sinnott Michael L. , Souchard Ian J. L.
Published: August 2015

1. Steady-state kinetic parameters for the β-galactosidase-catalysed hydrolysis of 13 aryl β-d-galactopyranosides show no simple dependence on aglycone acidity. 2. α-Deuterium kinetic isotope effects (kH/kD) for seven of these substrates, measured under steady-state conditions with [S]»Km, vary from 1.00 for poor substrates to 1.25 for hydrolysis of the galactosyl-enzyme. 3. Methanolysis of the galactosyl-enzyme in 1.5m-methanol increases KH/kD for degalactosylation, but leaves that for hydrolysis of ‘slow’ substrates unchanged. 4. These data are incompatible with a simple two-step mechanism. A scheme consisting of a conformation change, liberation of a galactopyranosyl cation in an intimate ion-pair, non-productive but preferential collapse of the ion-pair to a covalent species and reaction of the galactosyl enzyme through the ion-paired form is proposed. 5. This scheme is used to rationalize previously puzzling data about the enzyme mechanism.
Properties of a 5′-nucleotidase purified from mouse liver plasma membranes
Authors: Evans W. H. , Gurd James W.
Published: August 2015

1. Extraction of a mouse liver plasma-membrane fraction with a detergent buffer, N-dodecylsarcosinate–Tris buffer (sarcosyl–Tris buffer), solubilized 90% of the protein and 70% of the 5′-nucleotidase activity. 2. The proteins of the sarcosyl–Tris buffer extract were fractionated by a rate-zonal centrifugation in a sucrose–detergent gradient. The major protein peak sedimented ahead of phospholipids, which mainly remained in the overlay. Glycoproteins were separated ahead of the protein peak. 3. The 5′-nucleotidase activity peak was associated with 5% of the protein applied to the gradient, and contained relatively few protein bands. 4. The 5′-nucleotidase was purified further by gel filtration on Sepharose and Sephadex columns equilibrated with sarcosyl–Tris buffer, to give a single glycoprotein band on sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme was lipid-free. 5. Electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels in sarcosyl–Tris buffers showed that the enzymic activity was coincident with the protein band. 6. The molecular weight suggested for the enzyme activity by gel filtration or centrifugation in sucrose gradients was 140000–150000. Sometimes, a minor enzyme peak of lower molecular weight was obtained. 7. Polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate indicated that as the polyacrylamide concentration was increased from 5 to 15%, the apparent molecular weight of the enzyme decreased from 130000 to 90000. 8. The evidence that 5′-nucleotidase is composed of two active and similar, if not identical, glycoprotein subunits and the role of detergent in effecting the separation of membrane proteins and glycoproteins are discussed. 9. Substrate requirements, pH optima and the nature of inhibition by an analogue of adenosine diphosphate are reported.
Light-scattering studies on supercoil unwinding
Authors: Campbell A. M. , Jolly D. J.
Published: August 2015

It has been shown previously that supercoiled [unk]X174 bacteriophage intracellular DNA (mol.wt. 3.2×106) with superhelix density, σ=−0.025 (−12 superhelical turns) at 25°C is best represented as a Y shape. In this work two techniques have been used to unwind the supercoil and study the changes in tertiary structure which result from changes in the secondary structure. The molecular weights from all experiments were in the range 3.2×106±0.12×106. In experiments involving temperature change little change in the Y shape was observed between σ=−0.027 (−13 superhelical turns, 14.9°C) and σ=−0.021 (−10 superhelical turns, 53.4°C) as evidenced by the root-mean-square radius and the particle-scattering factor P(θ). However, at σ=−0.0176 (−8 superhelical turns, 74.5°C) the root-mean-square radius fell to between 60 and 70nm from 90nm indicating a large structural change, as did alterations in the P(θ) function. In experiments with the intercalating dye proflavine from values of bound proflavine of 0–0.06mol of dye/mol equiv. of nucleotide which correspond to values of σ from −0.025 to −0.0004 (−12 to 0 superhelical turns) a similar transition was found when the superhelix density was changed by the same amount, and the molecule was shown to go through a further structural change as the unwinding of the duplex proceeded. At σ=−0.018 (−9 superhelical turns) the structure was compatible with a toroid, and at σ+−0.0004 it was compatible with a circle but at no point in the sequence of structure transitions was the structure compatible with the conventional straight interwound model normally visualized as the shape of supercoiled DNA.
Purification and properties of dihydrofolate reductase from cultured mammalian cells
Authors: Gauldie J. , Marshall L. , Hillcoat B. L.
Published: August 2015

Dihydrofolate reductase was purified quickly and simply from small quantities of cultured mammalian cells by affinity chromatography. On gel electrophoresis of the purified enzyme, multiple bands of activity resulted from enzyme–buffer interaction at low but not high buffer concentration. A Ferguson plot (Ferguson, 1964) showed that this heterogeneity was due to a charge difference with no alteration in the size of the enzyme. Stimulation of enzyme activity by KCl, urea and p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, and inhibition by methotrexate and trimethoprim, showed only minor differences between the various enzymes.
Monoribosomal attachment to messenger ribonucleic acid in sodium fluoride-treated rabbit reticulocytes
Authors: Geraghty M. , Galler M. , Schiffman F. , Freedman M.
Published: August 2015

Mild proteolysis with Pronase selectively dissociates ribosomes not attached to mRNA into subunits; ribosomes attached to mRNA remain intact. A portion of monoribosomes from reticulocytes incubated with NaF resisted proteolytic dissociation. Recovery of mRNA from monoribosomes of NaF-treated reticulocytes therefore may be explained by persistent attachment of some monoribosomes to mRNA.
Reduced nicotinamide–adenine dinucleotide–nitrite reductase from Azotobacter chroococcum
Authors: Vega J. M. , Guerrero M. G. , Leadbetter E. , Losada M.
Published: August 2015

1. The assimilatory nitrite reductase of the N2-fixing bacterium Azotobacter chroococcum was prepared in a soluble form from cells grown aerobically with nitrate as the nitrogen source, and some of its properties have been studied. 2. The enzyme is a FAD-dependent metalloprotein (mol.wt. about 67000), which stoicheiometrically catalyses the direct reduction of nitrite to NH3 with NADH as the electron donor. 3. NADH–nitrite reductase can exist in two either active or inactive interconvertible forms. Inactivation in vitro can be achieved by preincubation with NADH. Nitrite can specifically protect the enzyme against this inactivation and reverse the process once it has occurred. 4. A. chroococcum nitrite reductase is an adaptive enzyme whose formation depends on the presence of either nitrate or nitrite in the nutrient solution. 5. Tungstate inhibits growth of the microorganism very efficiently, by competition with molybdate, when nitrate is the nitrogen source, but does not interfere when nitrite or NH3 is substituted for nitrate. The addition of tungstate to the culture media results in the loss of nitrate reductase activity but does not affect nitrite reductase.
Selective release of lysosomal hydrolases from phagocytic cells by cytochalasin B
Authors: Davies Philip , Allison Anthony C. , Haswell A. David
Published: August 2015

1. Cytochalasin B (10μg/ml) enhances the release of rabbit polymorphonuclear leucocyte lysosomal acid hydrolases induced by retinol (vitamin A alcohol). 2. This effect is seen at doses of the vitamin that cause selective release of acid hydrolases and those causing more general enzyme release indicated by the loss of lactate dehydrogenase. 3. Cytochalasin B (2–50μg/ml) has no effect on the release of sedimentable acid hydrolases of intact granules obtained from disrupted polymorphonuclear leucocytes. 4. Cytochalasin B (2–10μg/ml) causes a time- and dose-dependent release of mouse peritoneal macrophage acid hydrolases. 5. This effect is selective at all doses of cytochalasin B used, since no release of lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and leucine 2-naphthylamidase was detected. 6. Treatment with cytochalasin B at doses of up to 10μg/ml for as long as 72h did not significantly change the total activities of any of the enzymes measured. 7. The lack of toxicity of cytochalasin B was shown by dye-exclusion tests and its failure to release radioactive colloidal gold stored in secondary lysosomes.
A comparison of d-inositol 1:2-cyclic phosphate 2-phosphohydrolase with other phosphodiesterases of kidney
Authors: Dawson R. M. C. , Clarke N. G.
Published: August 2015

1. The ability to hydrolyse various phosphodiesterase substrates was examined in subcellular fractions of rat kidney and in serial slices of the kidneys of mouse, rat, guinea pig and ox cut from the cortex perimeter inwards. 2. d-Inositol 1:2-cyclic phosphate 2-phosphohydrolase could be clearly distinguished from phosphodiesterases which hydrolyse 2′:3′- and 3′:5′-cyclic AMP and p-nitrophenyl thymidine 5′-phosphate (phosphodiesterase I). The hydrolysis of sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine showed a distribution identical with that of particle-bound d-inositol 1:2-cyclic phosphate 2-phosphodiesterase, but there was a 30-fold difference in the ratio of enzyme activities between the rat and guinea pig. 3. In rat and mouse kidney, d-inositol 1:2-cyclic phosphate 2-phosphohydrolase is virtually all membrane bound and in the outer cortex, whereas in guinea-pig kidney the enzyme is almost entirely soluble and located throughout the kidney tissue. Some properties of the soluble enzyme are described. 4. Distribution and histochemical studies indicated that in the rat and mouse, phosphodiesterase I is associated with the brush borders of the straight portion (pars recta) of the proximal tubule, whereas inositol 1:2-cyclic phosphate 2-phosphohydrolase and probably glycerylphosphorylcholine diesterase are associated with the brush borders of the convoluted part of the tubule (pars convoluta).
Influence of luteinizing hormone and adenosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate on the metabolism of free and esterified cholesterol in mouse Leydig-cell tumours
Authors: Moyle William R. , Jungas Robert L. , Greep Roy O.
Published: August 2015

1. Male C57B1/6J mice bearing Leydig-cell tumours known to synthesize steroids in response to luteinizing hormone (LH) were given intravenous injections of [1,2-3H]cholesterol (50–100μCi per animal). Single-cell suspensions were prepared from the tumours 5–9 days after the injection of [3H]cholesterol and were incubated at 37°C in foetal calf serum supplemented with 50mm-Tris–HCl, pH7.4. At various times after the start of incubation cells were collected by filtration of portions of the suspension and their sterols analysed. Within 10min after LH (5μg/ml) or 3′:5′-cyclic AMP (20mm) was added to the cell suspensions an increased conversion of ester cholesterol into free cholesterol could be demonstrated. 2. To observe this rapid effect of LH it was necessary to incubate the cells for 60min before addition of hormone. 3. The specific radioactivity of testosterone produced was approximately equal to that of the intracellular cholesterol regardless of the presence or absence of LH. 4. The amount of free cholesterol produced in response to LH was far greater than that needed for steroid synthesis. 5. Free cholesterol, but not esterified cholesterol, was released into the incubation medium linearly with time and this release was unaffected by LH. LH may stimulate steroidogenesis in part by increasing the concentration of free cholesterol within the cell.
Xylitol metabolism in the isolated perfused rat liver
Authors: Woods H. F. , Krebs H. A.
Published: August 2015

1. Loading the isolated perfused liver from well-fed rats with xylitol (20mm) caused a depletion of adenine nucleotides and Pi and an accumulation of α-glycerophosphate. The ATP content fell to 66% of the control value after 10min and to 32% after 80min. The ADP and AMP contents also fell. After 80min 63% of the total adenine nucleotides and 59% of the Pi had been lost. 2. The α-glycerophosphate content rose from 0.13 to 4.74μmol/g at 10min and reached 8.02μmol/g at 40min. 3. Xylitol was rapidly metabolized, the main products being glucose, lactate and pyruvate. 4. The [lactate]/[pyruvate] ratio in the presence of xylitol rose to 30–40. 5. On perfusion of livers from starved animals the main product of xylitol metabolism was glucose and the mean ratio xylitol removed/glucose formed was 1.29 (corrected for endogenous glucose and lactate production). This is close to the predicted value of 1.2. 6. Evidence is presented indicating that the loss of adenine nucleotides caused by xylitol is not due to the increased ATP consumption but to the accumulation of α-glycerophosphate and depletion of Pi. 7. The loss of adenine nucleotides accounts for the hyperuricaemia which can occur after xylitol infusion in man. 8. The relevance of the findings to the clinical use of xylitol as an energy source is discussed.
Activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase in perfused rat heart by dichloroacetate (Short Communication)
Authors: Whitehouse Sue , Randle Philip J.
Published: August 2015

The activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase was assayed in extracts of rat hearts perfused in vitro with media containing glucose and insulin±acetate±dichloroacetate. Dichloroacetate (100μm, 1mm or 10mm) increased the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase in perfusions with glucose or glucose+acetate. Evidence is given that dichloroacetate may facilitate the conversion of pyruvate dehydrogenase from an inactive (phosphorylated) form into an active (dephosphorylated) form.
Formation of ceramide phosphorylethanolamine from phosphatidylethanolamine in the rumen protozoon Entodinium caudatum (Short Communication)
Authors: Broad Tom E. , Dawson Rex M. C.
Published: August 2015

From ‘pulse’-labelling experiments of Entodinium caudatum with [14C]ethanolamine and by incubating the organism with [32P]phosphatidylethanolamine it is concluded that phosphatidylethanolamine can act as a direct precursor of the phosphorylethanolamine moiety of ceramide phosphorylethanolamine. The phosphorylethanolamine is probably never liberated in the free form but is transferred directly to a ceramide or ceramide-containing acceptor. The results are also in agreement with previous conclusions that phosphatidylethanolamine is the direct lipid precursor of N-(1-carboxyethyl)phosphatidylethanolamine.
Influence of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) on the initial kinetics of the uptake of calcium ions by rat small-intestinal mucosa (Short Communication)
Authors: O'Donnell J. M. , Smith M. W.
Published: August 2015

The uptake of Ca2+ by isolated small-intestinal mucosa from vitamin D-depleted and -repleted rats was analysed for the effects of vitamin D on initial kinetics. The rapid association of Ca2+ with the tissue, which is complete within 1min, was unaffected by the vitamin, whereas the subsequent, linear, uptake was significantly increased. Neither the tissue space accessible to inulin nor the permeability to thiourea was influenced by vitamin D treatment.
The significance of promitochondrial structures in rat liver for mitochondrial biogenesis
Authors: Satav J. G. , Rajwade M. S. , Katyare S. S. , Netrawali M. S. , Fatterpaker P. , Sreenivasan A.
Published: August 2015

1. The heavy, light and fluffy mitochondrial fractions obtained by differential centrifugation were further characterized with respect to their protein synthesizing ability in vitro, their nucleic acid content, buoyant density of their DNA and ultrastructure. 2. The light mitochondrial fraction synthesized proteins in vitro at a rate 4–5 times as high as heavy and fluffy mitochondria. The incorporation ability of this fraction was also maximally affected by the thyroid status of the animal. The radioactivity in leucyl-tRNA of the light mitochondrial fraction was about 3–4 times as high as that of the other two fractions. 3. The heavy, light and fluffy mitochondrial fractions contained small but consistent amounts of RNA and DNA. Although the DNA content was the same in all mitochondria fractions, the light mitochondria contained relatively more RNA. The buoyant density of DNA from all the fractions was 1.701g/cm3. 4. Electron microscopy revealed that the heavy mitochondria have a typical mitochondrial architecture, with densely packed cristae and a well developed double membrane. Light mitochondria were also surrounded by double membranes, but were smaller in size and contained less cristae. The fluffy fraction consisted of a mixture of well formed mitochondria and those in the process of degradation. 5. The significance of these findings in relation to mammalian mitochondrial genesis is discussed.
Accumulation of amino acids by the perfused rat liver in the presence of ethanol
Authors: Krebs Hans A. , Hems Reginald , Lund Patricia
Published: August 2015

1. The rate of gluconeogenesis from alanine in the perfused rat liver is affected by the presence of other metabolizable substances, especially fatty acids, ornithine and ethanol. Gluconeogenesis is accelerated by oleate and by ornithine. When both oleate and ornithine were present the acceleration was greater than expected on the basis of mere additive effects. 2. Much NH3 and some urea were formed from alanine when no ornithine was added. With ornithine almost all the nitrogen released from alanine appeared as urea. 3. Lactate was a major product of alanine metabolism. Addition of oleate, and especially of oleate plus ornithine, decreased lactate formation. 4. Ethanol had no major effect on gluconeogenesis from alanine when this was the sole added precursor. Gluconeogenesis was strongly inhibited (87%) when oleate was also added, but ethanol greatly accelerated gluconeogenesis when ornithine was added together with alanine. 5. In the absence of ethanol the alanine carbon and alanine nitrogen removed were essentially recovered in the form of glucose, lactate, pyruvate, NH3 and urea. 6. In the presence of ethanol the balance of both alanine carbon and alanine nitrogen showed substantial deficits. These deficits were largely accounted for by the formation of aspartate and glutamine, the formation of which was increased two- to three-fold. 7. When alanine was replaced by lactate plus NH4Cl, ethanol also caused a major accumulation of amino acids, especially of aspartate and alanine. 8. Earlier apparently discrepant results on the effects of ethanol on gluconeogenesis from alanine are explained by the fact that under well defined conditions ethanol can inhibit, or accelerate, or be without major effect on the rate of gluconeogenesis. 9. It is pointed out that in the synthesis of urea through the ornithine cycle half of the nitrogen must be supplied in the form of asparate and half in the form of carbamoyl phosphate. The accumulation of aspartate and other amino acids suggests that ethanol interferes with the control mechanisms which regulate the stoicheiometric formation of aspartate and carbamoyl phosphate.
Decreased liver activity of porphyrin–metal chelatase in hepatic porphyria caused by 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine. Studies in rats and mice
Authors: De Matteis Francesco , Abbritti Giuseppe , Gibbs Anthony H.
Published: August 2015

1. A difference has been found between rats and mice in their sensitivity to the porphyrogenic effect of drugs. Mice are more sensitive than rats to 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine, but less sensitive than rats to 2-allyl-2-isopropylacetamide. 2. Use has been made of this difference in sensitivity to ascertain the importance of the decrease of liver porphyrin–metal chelatase activity in porphyria caused by 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine. Mice, which are more sensitive than rats to the stimulation of 5-aminolaevulinate caused by this drug, are also more sensitive with respect to the decrease of chelatase activity. 3. In both species, after treatment with 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine, the ratio between chelatase activity and 5-aminolaevulinate activity is linear with respect to the reciprocal of the liver porphyrin concentration. This suggests that under these conditions the degree of porphyrin accumulation depends on the balance between rate of porphyrin formation and rate of porphyrin utilization. 4. Compound SKF 525-A (2-diethylaminoethyl 3,3-diphenylpropylacetate) when given before 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine prevents the appearance of porphyria in the rat and also largely prevents the decrease of chelatase activity. In the mouse it is much less effective in preventing porphyria and it is almost completely inactive in protecting the chelatase from a decrease in activity. 5. Cycloheximide, when given before 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine also inhibits the induction of 5-aminolaevulinate synthetase and the appearance of porphyria in the rat, but does not prevent the decrease of chelatase activity. These results suggest that two successive stages can be distinguished in the induction process: a first stage leading to inhibition of haem synthesis and a second stage requiring synthesis of protein in the liver and leading to stimulation of 5-aminolaevulinate synthetase.
Glucose metabolism in the newborn rat. Hormonal effects in vivo
Authors: Snell Keith , Walker Deryck G.
Published: August 2015

1. The concentrations of liver glycogen and plasma d-glucose were measured in caesarian-delivered newborn rats at time-intervals up to 3h after delivery after treatment of the neonatal rats with glucagon, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, cortisol or cortisol+dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Glycogenolysis was promoted by glucagon or dibutyryl cyclic AMP in the third hour after birth but not at earlier times. Cortisol and dibutyryl cyclic AMP together (but neither agent alone) promoted glycogenolysis in the second hour after birth, but no hormone combination was effective in the first postnatal hour. 2. The specific radioactivity of plasma d-glucose was measured as a function of time for up to 75 min after the intraperitoneal injection of d-[6-14C]glucose and d-[6-3H]glucose into newborn rats at delivery and after treatment with glucagon or actinomycin D. Glucagon-mediated hyperglycaemia at this time was due to an increased rate of glucose formation and a decreased rate of glucose utilization. Actinomycin D prevented glucose formation and accelerated the rate of postnatal hypoglycaemia. 3. The specific radioactivity of plasma l-lactate and the incorporation of 14C into plasma d-glucose was measured as a function of time after the intraperitoneal injection of l-[U-14C]lactate into glucagon- or actinomycin D-treated rats immediately after delivery. The calculated rates of lactate formation were unchanged by either treatment, but lactate utilization was stimulated by glucagon administration. Glucagon stimulated and actinomycin D diminished 14C incorporation into plasma d-glucose. 4. The factors involved in the initiation of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the rat immediately after birth are discussed.
The presence of N-terminal methionine on nascent protein of rat liver and rabbit reticulocytes and its cleavage during polypeptide-chain elongation
Authors: Koffer-Gutmann Anna , Arnstein Henry R. V.
Published: August 2015

1. The size of nascent globin peptides from which the N-terminal methionine residue is cleaved has been investigated by comparing the proportion of N-terminal methionine and valine in short and long chains. Nascent chains were labelled in rabbit reticulocyte lysates, fractionated according to length by chromatography on Sephadex G-50, and analysed by the Edman degradation of selected pooled fractions. It was found that different peptide fractions contained either methionine or valine, but not both, as the N-terminal residue. Methionine was present at the N-terminus of globin chains containing up to approx. 50 amino acids whereas valine was found to be the N-terminal amino acid of longer peptides. 2. In similar experiments with nascent proteins of rat liver, labelled either in vivo or in a cell-free system containing microsomal material and cell sap, evidence was obtained for the presence of methionine at the N-terminus of nascent chains up to approx. 65 amino acid residues long. Thus protein synthesis in liver appears to be initiated also by methionine, but in this case cleavage takes place somewhat later during peptide elongation than in globin synthesis.
Altered heat-lability of a fraction of glutathione reductase in aging human lens
Authors: Harding John J.
Published: August 2015

An unusually heat-labile fraction of glutathione reductase appears in human lens at about an age of 32 years. No such change was found in glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase nor in 3-phosphoglycerate kinase. The change is an intrinsic property of glutathione reductase. A greater proportion of the altered glutathione reductase was found in the core, the older part, of the lens. No evidence of a second band of activity was obtained after electrophoresis. Possible interpretations of the results, including errors of protein synthesis, production of a new isoenzyme and post-synthetic changes, are discussed.
Regulation of locust fat-body phosphorylase
Authors: Applebaum S. W. , Schlesinger H. M.
Published: August 2015

1. Glycogen phosphorylase of locust fat-body was partially purified by differential centrifugation and dissociation from glycogen particles at two pH values. 2. Optimum activity was obtained at pH6.6–6.7. 3. The calculated apparent Km values for glycogen and glucose 1-phosphate were 0.08% and 10–13mm respectively. 4. 5′-AMP activated in the range 5μm–1mm. 5. Glucose 6-phosphate is a competitive inhibitor for the substrate glucose 1-phosphate (Ki=1.7mm). 5′-AMP abolishes this inhibition. Glucose weakly inhibits (Ki=25–30mm), but trehalose does not inhibit even at 100mm. 6. It is suggested that glucose 6-phosphate is a major regulator of glycogen phosphorylase activity in locust fat-body.
Structural studies on individual components of bovine transferrin
Authors: Richardson N. E. , Buttress N. , Feinstein A. , Stratil A. , Spooner R. L.
Published: August 2015

The single-banding components of bovine transferrin from animals homozygous for the four transferrin variants found in the U.K. were isolated. Sedimentation equilibrium ultracentrifugation and sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis showed that the bands of a single variant have molecular weights of 77500 and 73300 respectively. The different bands of a single variant and single bands of different variants show no evidence of size heterogeneity or of low-molecular-weight peptides being split off after reduction in 6m-guanidine hydrochloride. The two slower bands of a single variant, which both contain 2 molecules of sialic acid/molecule of protein, have the same molecular weight and amino acid composition, and give identical peptide ‘maps’, although differences in composition and peptide ‘maps’ occur between the different variants. The results support the concept that bovine transferrin is essentially a single polypeptide chain, but they do not explain differences in electrophoretic mobility between bands of the same variant which are not produced by differing sialic acid content.
Effects of lipid removal on the molecular size and kinetic properties of bovine plasma arylesterase
Authors: Kitchen Barry J. , Masters Colin J. , Winzor Donald J.
Published: August 2015

A purified arylesterase preparation from bovine plasma was characterized to the extent that it has a partial specific volume of 0.91ml/g and an apparent z-average molecular weight of 440000. The relatively large magnitude of the former reflects the presence of phospholipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and β-carotene, the last-named being responsible for the pronounced yellow colour of the preparation. Removal of the lipid material is accompanied by a decrease in the apparent z-average molecular weight to 120000, the size of the smallest species detected by high-speed sedimentation equilibrium being in the vicinity of 70000 daltons: denaturation of the lipid-free preparation with 6m-guanidine hydrochloride caused essentially complete breakdown into subunits of this size. In kinetic studies on the enzyme the maximal velocity for the hydrolysis of phenyl acetate was found to increase by 60% on addition of 1 mm-Ca2+, with the Km showing a concomitant decrease from 6.6 to 2.1 mm. Removal of lipid had no detectable effect on Vmax. or Km in either the presence or the absence of Ca2+. It is concluded that the bovine plasma arylesterase preparation is either a lipoprotein or an enzyme–lipoprotein complex with properties very similar to those of the α1-lipoprotein or high-density lipoprotein (HDL2) fraction of serum.