bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical studies of metal-phosphate interactions: interaction of Li+, Na+, K+, Be++, Mg++, and Ca++ with H2PO4- and (CH3O)2PO2-: implications for nucleic acid solvation.
Authors: Marynick D S , Schaefer H F
Published: May 2006

Model phosphate-metal solvation complexes have been studied by ab-initio self-consistent-field techniques. The complexes studied include (RO)2PO2-(R = H or CH3) with Li+, Na+, K+, Be++, Mg++, Ca++, H2O, and Cl-. The geometries of the complexes were chosen to approximate reasonable model solvation complexes for phosphate groups in a nucleic acid environment. Calculated energies of formation vary as Be++ greater than Mg++ greater than Ca++ greater than Li+ greater than Na+ greater than K+ for all isostructural complexes, consistent with experimental binding trends. These results suggest that site binding of this type can successfully account for the relative specificities of ion binding in polynucleotides and other phosphate-containing molecules.
A theory of the chain melting phase transition of aqueous phospholipid dispersions.
Authors: Jacobs R E , Hudson B , Andersen H C
Published: May 2006

A model for the chain melting phase transition in dilute aqueous phospholipid bilayer dispersions is presented. This model includes interactions between head groups, between hydrocarbon chains, and within the chains. The head groups are modeled as hard disks which are constrained to lie on a two-dimensional surface separating the aqueous and hydrocarbon regions. The chain statistics problem is treated in an approximate manner using an approach motivated by scaled particle theory to describe the inter-chain steric repulsions in a mathematically tractable way. In this approach the whole system interacts with any given chain through an average lateral pressure which is proportional to the hard disk pressure. Following Nagle, we assume that the steric repulsions between chains and between head groups and the trans-gauche rotation energies are the dominant interactions in determining the transition and we describe the effect of the other interactions with a mean field approximation. Using the known transition temperature of a series of 1,2-diacyl phosphatidyl cholines to adjust two parameters in the theory, the model gives enthalpy and area changes that are in quite reasonable agreement with experiment. Moreover, the curvature observed in the plot of the transition temperature against acyl chain length is reproduced.
New approach to antifolate treatment of certain cancers as demonstrated in tissue culture.
Authors: Halpern R M , Halpern B C , Clark B R , Ashe H , Hardy D N , Jenkinson P Y , Chou S C , Smith R A
Published: May 2006

The selective toxicity of antifolates for a variety of cancers can be improved, as illustrated by the combined administration of N5-methyltetrahydrofolate and methotrexate in tissue culture. When a variety of neoplastic cell types characterized by a deficiency of vitamin B12-dependent N5-methyltetrahydrofolate methyltransferase (5-methyltetrahydropteroyl-L-glutamate:L-homocysteine S-methyltransferase, EC 2.1.1.13) and normal adult cells are grown in media containing methotrexate and either N5-methyltetrahydrofolate or N5-formyltetrahydrofolate, not only is the selective toxicity of methotrexate demonstrated, but the advantage of using N5-methyltetrahydrofolate in place of N5-formyltetrahydrofolate is also revealed. The implications and applications of this particular combination in the treatment of human cancer are discussed.
Identification of aldosterone-induced proteins in the toad's urinary bladder.
Authors: Scott W N , Sapirstein V S
Published: May 2006

Aldosterone (the 8,11-hemiacetal 0f 11beta,21-dihydroxy-3,20-dioxo-4-pregnen-18-al) markedly stimulates sodium transport in a number of epithelial tissues. We have attempted to determine whether aldosterone induces the synthesis of specific protein(s) in the course of its action upon the toad urinary bladder. Paired hemibladders were incubated in media containing either [3H]methionine or [35S]methionine; aldosterone in physiologic concentrations was added to one bath and, after incubation, the intact "mitochondria-rich" (MR) and "granular" (G) mucosal cells were isolated. The ratio (3H/35S) was used to identify proteins whose synthesis was induced in the mucosal cells of the steroid-treated bladders. Using exclusion gel chromatography and isoelectric focusing, we identified several aldosterone-induced proteins in the supernatant (105,000 x g) fraction of the MR cell. None was evident in this fraction of the G cell. These proteins have apparent molecular weights ranging from 17,000 to 38,000 and the isoelectric point of the major component is 4.5. Corticosterone (11beta,21-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione) induced the synthesis of proteins in the G cells, but none of these proteins was similar in molecular weight to the aldosterone-induced proteins in the MR cell. Our findings support the hypothesis that aldosterone induces the synthesis of specific proteins and indicate that, in this tissue, these proteins are synthesized by the MR cell.
Possible peptide chain termination mutants in thymide kinase gene of a mammalian virus, herpes simplex virus.
Authors: Summers W P , Wagner M , Summers W C
Published: May 2006

Mutations in the viral gene coding for the thymidine kinase (ATP:thymidine 5'-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.75) induced by herpes simplex virus have been obtained by selection of virus resistant to bromodeoxyuridine when grown in thymidine-kinase-deficient LMTK- mouse cells. Proteins labeled after infection of Vero (monkey) cells with herpes simplex virus were analyzed by gel electrophoresis and one protein of about 40,000 daltons was consistently altered in a number of thymidine-kinase-deficient mutants. Many viral mutants lacked this peptide and one class of these mutants induced the synthesis of new shorter peptides. Revertant virus could be selected which simultaneously regained the ability to induce thymidine kinase activity, regained the intact thymidine kinase peptide, and lost the ability to synthesize the shorter peptide fragment. These mutants comprise a class of animal virus mutants which have the properties expected of peptide chain termination mutants.
Cerebellar cell surface antigens of mouse brain.
Authors: Seeds N W
Published: May 2006

Reaggregated cells from 6- to 8-day-old mouse cerebella have been used to raise antibodies in rabbits. The interaction of these antibodies with cerebellar cell surface components was assessed by cytotoxicity of 51Cr-labeled cerebellar cell cultures and indirect immunofluorescence. A quantitative comparison of the relative amount of antigen on cells from other mouse tissues, brain regions, cerebella of various aged mice and mutant mice, and other animal species, as well as several clonal cell lines of nervous system origin, was made. A fixed subthreshold concentration of antiserum was adsorbed with increasing numbers of dissociated cells or amounts of particulate tissue prior to incubation with complement and 51Cr-labeled cerebellar target cells. Mouse thymus, spleen, liver, and heart tissue possess negligible adsorbing capacity, whereas kidney and sperm gave some adsorption. Of the brain regions examined, only cerebellum removed all immunofluorescence and cytotoxic activity, whereas other regions removed less than 90%, suggesting the possibility of cerebellar specific antigens on certain cell types. Only mouse and rat cerebellum gave measurable adsorptions, and this capacity decreased with increasing age. Although cerebellar mutants (stagger, weaver, and nervous) possessed similar adsorptive capacity, glioma and neuroblastoma clonal cell lines differed measurably in their adsorption; only the mouse neuroblastoma clones displayed significant adsorption of the antiserum.
Enzymatic induction of DNA double-strand breaks in gamma-irradiated Escherichia coli K-12.
Authors: Bonura T , Smith K C , Kaplan H S
Published: May 2006

The polA1 mutation increases the sensitivity of E. coli K-12 by killing by gamma-irradiation in air by a factor of 2.9 and increases the yield of DNA double-strand breaks by a factor of 2.5. These additional DNA double-strand breaks appear to be due to the action of nucleases in the polA1 strain rather than to the rejoining of radiation-induced double-strand breaks in the pol+ strain. This conclusion is based upon the observation that gamma-irradiation at 3 degrees did not affect the yield of DNA double-strand breaks in the pol+ strain, but decreased the yield in the polA1 strain by a factor of 2.2. Irradiation of the polA1 strain at 3 degrees followed by incubation at 3 degrees for 20 min before plating resulted in approximately a 1.5-fold increase in the D0. The yield of DNA double-strand breaks was reduced by a factor of 1.5. The pol+ strain, however, did not show the protective effect of the low temperature incubation upon either survival or DNA double-strand breakage. We suggest that the increased yield of DNA double-strand breaks in the polA1 strain may be the result of the unsuccessful exision repair of ionizing radiation-induced DNA base damage.
Primary structure of a deleted human lambda type immunoglobulin light chain containing carbohydrate: protein Sm lambda.
Authors: Garver F A , Chang L , Mendicino J , Isobe T , Osserman E F
Published: May 2006

An internal molecular deletion occurring in a human lambda type immunoglobulin light (L)-chain (Sm lambda) has been defined by sequence analysis. The Sm protein was isolated from the urine of a patient with a plasma cell dyscrasia involving the synthesis of an IgG molecule with both deleted gamma and lambda subunits. The Sm lambda polypeptide chain has an approximate molecular weight of 15,000 and contains 135 amino-acid residues. The constant (C) region is fully intact, comprising 105 residues, whereas the variable region (V) has only 30 residues. The V-region segment represents residues 1 through 30 of normal lambda chains and possesses considerable homology (87%) to lambda chains of subgroup II. Since lambdaII proteins normally contain 216 amino-acid residues, the defect represents an intramolecular deletion of 81 residues, which is entirely confined to the carboxyterminal three-quarters segment of the V-region, with a resumption of normal synthesis at a glutaminyl residue at position 110, the initiation point of the C-region. Carbohydrate is attached to an Asx residue at position 25, in the first hypervariable region, associated with the sequence triplet Asx-Ser-Ser, which is postulated to be a common recognition site for glycosylation of immunoglobulins. The carbohydrate moiety is a complex oligosaccharide with a branched chain structure containing sialic acid, fucose, mannose, N-acetylglucosamine, and galactose. These structural studies and other findings suggest that restricted areas in the DNA of immunoglobulin genes, such as the hinge regions of heavy (H) and light (L) chains and the hypervariable regions, are particularly susceptible to breakage and reunion. We postulate that the genetic defect of protein Sm could have originated from a somatic mutational event in the plasmacyte precursor during or after the integration of the V and C genes. These studies provide additional support for the hypothesis and two distinct structural genes encode a single immunoglobulin polypeptide chain.
Two stages in lymphocyte mediator production by differential susceptibility to blockade using niridazole.
Authors: Daniels J C , Fajardo I , David J R
Published: May 2006

Sera from guinea pigs given niridazole, an anti-schistosomal compound, have been shown to reversibly block the production of antigen-induced migration inhibitory factor by sensitized guinea pig lymph node cells. Since niridazole itself has no effect in vitro, the blockade of production of migration inhibitory factor is probably due to drug metabolites in the serum. We report here further studies on the mechanism of this drug-induced suppression of cellular hypersensitivity; the data show that niridazole active serum does not block the production of migration inhibitory factor once it has been initiated. Indeed, if niridazole active serum is added a little as 60 sec after the addition of antigen, the lymphocytes will produce migration inhibitory factor. These results suggest the presence of at least two stages in production of migration inhibitory factor after the addition of antigen to lymphocytes. The first, lasting less than 60 sec, is susceptible to blockade by niridazole active serum; the second is not. The elucidation of the mechanism of this blockade should lead to further understanding of the early events after antigen triggering of sensitized lymphocytes.
Oncornavirus-like particles released from arginine-deprived human lymphoblastoid cell lines.
Authors: Kotler M , Balabanova H , Weinberg E , Friedmann A , Becker Y
Published: May 2006

Type-C RNA tumor virus particles were released from three different human lymphoblastoid cell lines after incubation in arginine-deficient medium. The released virus-like particles were characterized by (a) their ability to band in sucrose gradients at a density of 1.16-1.18 g/ml; (b) the presence of an RNA-directed DNA polymerase activity resembling that of the oncornaviruses; and (c) isolation of cores that band at a density of 1.26-1.27 g/ml in sucrose gradients. Examination of the arginine-deprived human lymphoblastoid cell line strain P3HR-1 by electron microscopy revealed the presence of C-type particles in the intracellular spaces.
Induction of error-prone repair as a consequence of DNA ligase deficiency in Escherichia coli.
Authors: Morse L S , Pauling C
Published: May 2006

DNA ligase deficiency is shown to induce generalized mutator activity in E. coli. This mutator activity is unaffected by 3 mug/ml of chloramphenicol but is abolished both in lig-recA double mutants and by incubation with 20 mug/ml of chloramphenicol. Dna ligase deficiency is also shown to reactivate ultraviolet light-irradiated phage lambda and T7 and to increase both spontaneous and ultraviolet light-induced mutagenesis in phage lambda, all of which are abolished in lig-recA strains. Interaction occurs between the molecular events of mutagenesis induced by ultraviolet irradiation and those induced by DNA ligase deficiency. These observations suggest a common pathway, coordinately expressed with the inducible repair mode, that is responsible for mutagenesis.
Dopamine receptor binding in the corpus striatum of mammalian brain.
Authors: Burt D R , Enna S J , Creese I , Snyder S H
Published: May 2006

Specific binding of [3H]dopamine to membranes from the corpus striatum of rat and calf brain appears to involve the postsynaptic dopamine receptor. Specific [3H]dopamine binding is saturable, wnd with half-maximal binding in calf membranes at 7 nM. Apomorphine is about twice as potent as dopamine in competing for binding sites, whereas (-)norepinephrine is 5% as potent as dopamine and isoproterenol is virtually inactive. The relative potencies of phenothiazines as inhibitors of specific dopamine binding correlates with their clinical potencies and actions on the dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase.
Applications of natural-abundance nitrogen-15 nuclear magnetic resonance to large biochemically important molecules.
Authors: Gust D , Moon R B , Roberts J D
Published: May 2006

Natural-abundance nitrogen-15 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of enzymes and other biopolymers is found to be feasible using newly available instrumentation. The long correlation times of such molecules result in short spin-lattice relaxation times, and these in turn allow rapid signal accumulation. The advantages of short T1 values are sometimes offset, however, by unfavorable nuclear Overhauser effects. The dependence of T1 and nuclear Overhauser effects upon correlation time is discussed, and preliminary nitrogen-15 nuclear magnetic resonance results for several biopolymers, including lysozyme, protamines, pepsin, hemoglobin, vitamin B 12, and tRNA, are presented.
A model for the hydrogen bond
Authors: Allen Leland C.
Published: May 2006

A model of the linear hydrogen bond has been devised which is characterized by three physical parameters of the isolated electron donor and proton donor molecules: μ
A-H
, the bond dipole moment; Δ
I
, the difference in ionization potential between that of the electron donor and the corresponding noble gas atom; and
l
, the length of the electron donor lone-pair of electrons. The model is able to explain dimerization energy, charge transfer, internuclear separation, directionality, stretching force constants, dimer dipole moment, and infrared intensity enhancement.
Inhibition of citrate synthase by oleoyl-CoA: a regulatory phenomenon.
Authors: Hsu K H , Powell G L
Published: May 2006

Fatty acyl-CoAs are good detergents (dritical micelle concentrations = 3-4 muM) and can inhibit a number of enzymes, including some involved in fatty acid biosynthesis. The regulatory significance of fatty acyl-CoAs as negative effectors has been questioned largely because of the difficulties in distinguishing possible nonspecific detergent effects from more specific regulatory interactions with these enzymes. A new analogue of oleoyl-CoA, oleoyl-(1, N6-etheno)-CoA, is a better detergent (critical micelle concentration = 3.2 muM) than oleoyl-CoA (critical micelle concentration = 4.7 muM). This new analogue is not as good (by an order of magnitude) an inhibitor of citrate synthase [citrate oxaloacetatelyase (pro-3S-CH2-COO-vectoracetyl-CoA); EC 4.1.3.7] nor is it bound as well oleoyl-CoA. Since the only difference between these two compounds is substitution of 1,N6-ethenoadenine for the adenine of CoA, the difference in inhibition and binding implies a specific interaction between the adenine moiety of oleoyl-CoA and citrate synthase. Moreover, since oleoyl-(1,N6-etheno)CoA is a better detergent than oleoyl-CoA, the detergency of oleoyl-CoA is not the sole cause of the fatty acyl-CoA inhibition of citrate synthase. These results support a physiological role for oleoyl-CoA as a negative effector for citrate synthase. An analogous physiological role for fatty acyl-CoA as negative effectors for other enzymes seems reasonable.
Isolation of antibodies specific to sickle hemoglobin by affinity chromatography using a synthetic peptide.
Authors: Young N S , Curd J G , Eastlake A , Furie B , Schechter A N
Published: May 2006

Antibodies to hemoglobin have been studied with a radioimmunoassay which employs [14C]carbamylated (= carbamolyated) hemoglobin S. An antiserum raised against hemoglobin S, which initially discriminated poorly between hemoglobins S and A, was fractionated by absorption to a column of Sepharose to which a synthetic peptide corresponding to the first 13 amino-acid residues of the beta chain of sickle hemoglobin had been covalently bound. A subpopulation of the antiserum was eluted from this column with 4 M guanidine - HC1. These antibodies showed binding to hemoglobin S but not to hemoglobin A and this interaction could be inhibited by the synthetic peptide. These antibodies, of demonstrated fine structural specificity, may be useful in the detection of sickle hemoglobin and in the study of its structure in solution.
Content of elongation factor Tu in Escherichia coli.
Authors: Furano A V
Published: May 2006

The content of elongation factor Tu in E. coli B has been determined both by radioimmune assay and by GDP binding. The two assays gave comparable results: cells growing at 2 doublings per hour contained about 8 molecules of Tu per ribosome, whereas those growing at 0.22 doublings per hour contained about 14 molecules per ribosome. These levels resemble those reported for tRNA, in contrast with the 1:1 ratio of factor to ribosomes reported for elongation factors Ts and G.
Plasmid interactions in Staphylococcus aureus: nonadditivity of compatible plasmid DNA pools.
Authors: Ruby C , Novick R P
Published: May 2006

Six different Staphylococcus aureus plasmids have been examined for compatibility relationships and their intracellular DNA pools have been measured singly and in various combinations. All six were mutually compatible, but contrary to expectation, their intracellular DNA pools were not additive; instead, there appeared to be a maximum level of extrachromosomal DNA that could be supported by the cell, and the plasmids studied approached this level individually as well as in varous combinations. One exception was encountered: a plasmid encoding kanamycin/neomycin resistance was present in a small but constant number of copies regardless of the presence of other plasmids.
Structure and regulation of immunoglobulins: kappa allotypes in the rat have multiple amino-acid differences in the constant region.
Authors: Gutman G A , Loh E , Hood L
Published: May 2006

Immunoglobulin kappa chains from various inbred strains of rats have two serologically detectable forms that segregate in a Mendelian fashion (allotypes a and b of the RI-I locus). Partial amino-acid sequences from the constant regions of these two forms have been compared. Of the 81 residues of the constant region studied, 10 amino-acid substitutions as well as one size difference (sequence gap) were found. This large number of sequence differences among alternative forms of the kappa allotype raises provocative questions as to the genetic and evolutionary implications of these light chain allotypes. We designate allotypes whose alternative forms differ at multiple residue positions as complex allotypes. There are basically two genetic models that might explain complex allotypes. First, these allotypes are alleles of a single structural gene with an unusual evolutionary history. Second, all rats have genes that code for each of the light chain allotypes and a control mechanism that permits them to be expressed so that they mimic a Mendelian pattern of segregation. We discuss evidence from other immunoglobulin systems that is compatible with this second model.
A structural gene mutation affecting the regulatory subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in mouse lymphoma cells.
Authors: Hochman J , Insel P A , Bourne H R , Coffino P , Tomkins G M
Published: May 2006

Compared to the wild-type parental line of S49 mouse lymphoma cells, intact cells of a mutant line (kin.A) are 10-fold less sensititive to biologic effects of exogenous cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophophosphate (cAMP), such as induction of cAMP phosphodiesterase, cell cycle-specific growth inhibition, and cytolysis. The cAMP-dependent protein kinase (ATP:protein phosphotransferase; EC 2.7.1.37) activity of kin.A cells exhibits an apparent Ka for activation by cAMP 10-fold greater than that of wild type, and is much more resistant to inactivation by heat. These differences between the wild-type and mutant enzymes persist through a high degree of purification, suggesting a structural alteration in the kin.A holoenzyme. Heterologous reconstitution experiments, using separated R and C subunits of the wild-type and kin.A cAMP-dependent kinases, show that the altered cAMP affinity and thermolability are conferred by the R component of the kin.A enzyme. These results are most consistent with a structural mutation in the kin.A gene coding for the R subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Evidence for a structural mutation helps to define one mechanism of heritable variation in cultured somatic cells. The phenotype produced by the kin.A structural mutation also greatly strengthens the conslusion that cAMP-dependent protein kinase is essential for cAMP regulation of growth and enzyme induction in intact S49 cells.
Social structuring of mammalian populations and rate of chromosomal evolution.
Authors: Wilson A C , Bush G L , Case S M , King M C
Published: May 2006

To test the hypothesis that the evolution of organisms is dependent to a large degree on gene rearrangement, we devised a way of estimating rates of evolutionary change in karyotype. This non-biochemical method is based on consideration of chromosomal variability within taxonomic groups having a fossil record. The results show that chromosomal evolution has been faster in placental mammals than in other vertebrates or molluscs. This finding is consistent with published evidence that placentals have also been evolving unusually fast in anatomy and way of life. However, the structural genes of placentals seem not to have experienced accelerated evolution. Possibly, therefore, anatomical evolution may be facilitated by gene rearrangement. To explain how placentals achieved this rate of chromosomal evolution, we consider the process by which a new gene arrangement becomes fixed and spreads. The structure and dynamics of placental populations may be especially favorable for this process. The key factor involved seems to be the type of social behavior which produces small effective population sizes and inbreeding. As Bush points out elsewhere, such social structuring of populations may promote rapid fixation of gene rearrangements and rapid speciation.
Evidence for tryosine peptide homologies in the HLA antigens system.
Authors: Cunningham-Rundles C , Jersild C , Svejgaard A , Dupont B , Good R A
Published: May 2006

The tetrameric HLA antigens are composed of two heavier chains which carry the alloantigenic determinants and two lighter chains identified as beta2-microglobulin. Although at least 40 different antisera are required to define the varying HLA specificities, it appears that these antigens may be closely related to each other and to the immunoglobulins. Through the use of a new electrophoretic technique, which is able to compare simultaneously the tyrosine peptides produced from radioiodinated cell surface proteins, this report gives evidence that HLA antigens of the three chromosomal loci may have similar amino-acid sequences. Since the retention of homologous tyrosine residues and a tendency for sequence preservation surrounding these residues are features of immunoglobulin structure, this may indicate that similarly conservative evolutionary mechanisms have been operative in the HLA allelelic proteins or that immunoglobulins and HLA antigens may indeed have a common evolutionary origin.
Separation of T cell subpopulations capable of DNA synthesis, lymphotoxin release, and regulation of antigen and phytohemagglutinin responses on the basis of density and adherence properties.
Authors: Durkin H G , Bash J A , Waksman B H
Published: May 2006

T memory cells specifically responsive to ovalbumin and performing the diverse functions of DNA synthesis, lymphotoxin release, and regulation can be isolated in enriched numbers in the most buoyant fractions (A+B) of bovine serum albumin gradients on day 9 after sensitization. At least 20-30% of these cells are capable of mounting a blastogenic response to ovalbumin. A+B cells responding to ovalbumin with DNA synthesis have adherent properties and are further enriched on passage through glass wool. The subpopulations capable of entering into blastogenesis and DNA synthesis and of lymphotoxin release are unresponsive to T mitogens. A+B cells are capable of either potentiating or suppressing DNA synthetic responses to both phytohemagglutinin and antigen when added to 5 X 10(5) D cells in different proportions. Potentiation or suppression of phytohemagglutinin responses were observed with 1 X 10(5) A+B cells, and total suppression was observed with A+B in the range of 4 X 10(3) to 2 X 10(4). The response to antigen was sometimes inhibited in the same cell combinations that gave a potentiated response to phytohemagglutinin and vice versa. Regulatory cells in this system were not macrophages since their effect was not mimicked by addition of peritoneal macrophages, and ablation of macrophages by carrageenan affected neither the potentiation nor suppression.
Increased concentrations of nonesterified arachidonic acid, 12L-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid, prostaglandin E2, and prostaglandin F2alpha in epidermis of psoriasis.
Authors: Hammarström S , Hamberg M , Samuelsson B , Duell E A , Stawiski M , Voorhees J J
Published: May 2006

Lesional epidermis of psoriasis has a probable reduction in the cyclic AMP/cyclic GMP ratio. This altered ratio may in part be responsible for the characteristic glycogen storage, rapid cell proliferation, and reduced differentiation in lesional epidermis. The concentrations of prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha, free arachidonic acid, and 12L-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetrawnoic acid in specimens of uninvolved and involved epidermis of psoriasis were measured with deuterium-labeled carriers and multiple ion analysis. Snap frozen specimens contained: 1.4 +/- 0.4 mug/g (wet weight) of arachidonic acid in uninvolved in contrast to 36.3 +/- 16.7 mug/g in involved epidermis (P = 0.015); less than 0.05 +/- 0.01 mug/g of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid in uninvolved in contrast to 4.1 +/- 1.9 mug/g in involved epidermis (P = 0.015); 23.6 +/- 5.0 ng/g of prostaglandin E2 in uninvolved in contrast to 33.1 +/- 5.7 ng/g in involved epidermis (P less than 0.01); and 21.0 +/- 4.4 ng/g of prostaglandin F2alpha in uninvolved in contrast to 39.0 +/- 5.9 ng/g in involved epidermis (P less than 0.01). The arachidonic acid and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid levels in involved epidermis were strongly correlated (r = 0.97). The increased levels of arachidonic acid and 12L-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid in involved epidermis may have diagnostic and pathophysiological importance.
The role of surface proteins in cell proliferation as studied with thrombin and other proteases.
Authors: Teng N N , Bo Chen L
Published: May 2006

This communication explores the capacity of different proteases to stimulate DNA synthesis in resting chick embryo fibroblasts and to cause the removal of cell membrane proteins previosly postulated as important in the regulation of growth and division of cells. Thrombin, a highly specific protease and a known mitogen, was incubated with chick embryo fibroblasts, and analysis was made of the cell membrane proteins. Of particular interest were a protein of molecular weight 250,000, which is known to be readily removed by the action of trypsin and is not present in most transformed cells, and two other proteins, which are reduced in amount in transformed as compared to confluent resting cell cultures. None of these three proteins was removed by thrombin when the latter was added to confluent cells in concentrations sufficient to cause significant increase in DNA synthesis twelve hours after stimulation by the protease. The presence or absence of these proteins in the membranes of confluent resting or transformed cells of chick embryo fibroblasts does not seem to be directly related to the process of regulation of DNA synthesis and cellular division.
Isolation of mammalian cell mutants deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity: linkage to hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase.
Authors: Rosenstraus M , Chasin L A
Published: May 2006

Mutants of Chinese hamster ovary cells deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (D-glucose-6-phosphate: NADP 1-oxidoreducatse, EC 1.1.1.49) activity were isolated after mutagenesis with ethyl methane sulfonate. The mutants were induced at frequencies of about 10-4 and do not differ in growth properties from wild-type cells. They were isolated by means of a sib selection technique coupled with a histochemical stain of colonies for enzyme activity. The lack of enzyme activity is not due to a dissociable inhibitor, and is recessive in hybrid cells. Multiple mutants that lack hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase activity (IMP:pyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase, EC 2.4.2.8) and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase activity (AMP:pyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase, EC 2.4.2.7) were isolated by further mutagenesis. By following segregation of wild-type phenotypes from heterozygous multiply marked hybrid cells, it was shown that the genes responsible for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase activity are linked in Chinese hamster cells, in agreement with the location of both on the X chromosome in humans. No linkage to adenosine phosphoribosyltransferase was found. The isolation of mutant cells carrying linked markers should prove useful for studying chromosomal events such as segregation, breakage, recombination, and X-chromosome reactivation.
X-ray diffraction studies of human erythrocyte membrane structure.
Authors: Stamatoff J B , Krimm S , Harvie N R
Published: May 2006

Small angle x-ray diffraction patterns have been obtained from ordered arrays of hemoglobin-free human erthyrocyte membranes by use of improved techniques. Diffraction data have been recorded to 9 A resolution on samples whose lattice periodicity was varied (by changing humidity) from 55.5 A to 69.6 A. The observed reflections permitted tracing the intensity transform of the membranes. Phases for the reflections were assigned by the minimum wavelength principle. An electron density profile was then obtained by Fourier inversion, and yielded a symmetric membrane about 55 A in width. This structure can account for the previously reported diffuse scattering observed in other preparations (thus rendering unnecessary the proposed assignment of this scattering to a separated lipoprotein phase) and for the continuous scattering that we have recorded from isolated membranes in buffer. Lower resolution data that we have obtained from ultracentrifugally prepared lattices in buffer (and therefore without dehydration) are consistent with the above results, and support our view that we are observing diffraction from intact membranes.
Isolation of the bacteriophage lambda A-gene protein.
Authors: Becker A , Gold M
Published: May 2006

An in vitro assay for measuring the activity of the phage lambda A-gene product has been developed. The assay is based on the observation that A-donor extracts complement A minus extracts for packaging of exogenous immature lambda DNA into phage particles. A partial purification of the A-gene product activity using this assay is presented. A method is suggested by which this A protein-dependent in vitro system might be manipulated to analyze the mechanism of reforming the lambda cohesive termini during chromosome assimilation into phage precursors.
Enhancement of somatomedin titers of normal and hypopituitary sera by addition of L-triiodothyronone in vitro at physiological concentrations.
Authors: Audhya T K , Gibson K D
Published: May 2006

Somatomedin potencies of sera were assayed by following sulfation of mucopolysaccharides in chick embryo sterna in vitro. Apparent potencies of sera from hypophysectomized rats, maintained on a low-iodine diet, were restored to levels above normal by addition to the incubation medium of L-triiodothyronine at 10-7 mol/liter of serum. The potencies of normal rat, human, and fetal calf sera were raised 1.3- to 3-fold by addition of triiodothyronine at 10-9-10-7 mol/liter of serum. L-Thyroxine was about 10 times less effective than triiodothyronine. Triiodothyronine alone did not stimulate sulfation to nearly the same extent as triiodothyronine plus serum, even at higher concentrations. Serum could not be substituted in this system by any of six purified hormones, nor by trace metals or amino acids not included in the incubation mixture. It is concluded that triiodothyronine, in combination with a factor in serum, causes a rapid stimulation of sulfation in chick embryo cartilage, and that thyroid hormones may be involved in the action of normal serum on this tissue.
Translation of Rous sarcoma virus RNA in a cell-free system from ascites Krebs II cells.
Authors: von der Helm K , Duesberg P H
Published: May 2006

The template activities of the 60-70S RNA complex and of the 30-40S subunit RNA species of Rous sarcoma virus were tested in a cell-free protein-synthesizing system from mouse ascites Krebs II cells. Stimulation of protein synthesis over the endogenous background was about 2-fold with 30-40S viral RNA and about 1.3-fold with 60-70S viral RNA as template. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis showed that the predominant polypeptide synthesized in vitro in response to 30-40S RNA of Rous sarcoma virus had a molecular weight of 75,000-80,000. This polypeptide could be precipitated by antiserum against the group-specific antigens of the virus, although its molecular weight is higher than that of virion group-specific antigen proteins. Analysis of tryptic digests of the protein made in vitro indicates similarity to tryptic digests from authentic virion group-specific proteins. It is concluded that part of the RNA from Rous sarcoma virus is translated in vitro into a high-molecular-weight protein, perhaps a precursor of the virion group-specific proteins.
Nucleas action on chromatin: evidence for discrete, repeated nucleoprotein units along chromatin fibrils.
Authors: Oosterhof D K , Hozier J C , Rill R L
Published: May 2006

The time course of the fragmentation of calf thymus chromatin by DNase II (deoxyribonucleate 3'-oligonucleotidohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.6) has been examined by sedimentation of chromatin digests through linear (5-20%) sucrose gradients. The action of nuclease is decidedly nonrandom, ultimately producing roughly equal amounts of acid-soluble oligonucleotides and 11S nucleoprotein particles. The 11S particles contain double-stranded DNA that is approximately 400 A or 120 base-pairs long, as measured by electron microscopic examination of deproteinized samples, and is maintained in a compact conformation within the intact particles. In addition, 15S nucleoprotein particles containing predominantly 800-A lengths of DNA have been isolated from less extensively digested chromatin. Evidence is presented which indicates that the 11S particles are fundamental structural units that are arranged in tandem along certain regions of chromatin fibrils. Preliminary experiments with different nucleases and with chromatin from different mammalian species indicate that these results are a natural consequence of the arrangement of DNA and proteins in mammalian chromatin and are not peculiar to the system described in detail.
Decrease in membrane-associated actin of fibroblasts after transformation by Rous sarcoma virus.
Authors: Wickus G , Gruenstein E , Robbins P W , Rich A
Published: May 2006

The actin content of membranes prepared from cultured chick embryo fibroblasts has been measured on polyacrylamide gels. The actin was identified by tryptic peptide mapping. After transformation of the cells by Rous sarcoma virus, the amount of actin associated with the membranes is decreased by 30-50%. This result is not due to infection per se, since infection by a temperature-sensitive strain of the virus decreases membrane-associated actin only at the permissive temperature. A shift from the nonpermissive (41 degrees) to the permissive (36 degrees) temperature results in an increase in the percentage of total cellular protein synthesis devoted to actin production, so that the decrease in membrane-associated actin appears to be a selective displacement from the membrane rather than a general decrease in total cellular actin.
Hamster alpha-amanitine-resistant RNA polymerase II able to transcribe polyoma virus genome in somatic cell hybrids.
Authors: Amati P , Blasi F , Di Porzio U , Riccio A , Traboni C
Published: May 2006

A hamster cell line resistant to alpha-amanitine has been isolated (alpha-am-r, BHK-T6-G-1). Cell extracts of this mutant have an alpha-amanitine-resistant RNA polymerase II (nucleosidetriphosphate: RNA nucleotidyl-transferase, EC 2.7.7.6) activity as shown by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. This mutation is dominant in interspecific hybrids with 3T3 mouse cells. In such hybrids polyoma virus can grow with equal efficiency in the presence or absence of the drug, thus indicating that the RNA polymerase of the unsusceptible parental cell can participate in the correct transcription of the viral genome.
Concanavalin A receptors on the surface membrane of lymphocytes from patient's with Hodgkin's disease and other malignant lymphomas.
Authors: Ben-Bassat H , Goldblum N
Published: May 2006

Concanavalin A (Con A) induces movement of its receptors on the cell surface membrane. This induction results in a concentration of Con A site complexes on one pole of the cell to form a cap. A marked difference was found in the mobility of Con A receptor between lymphocytes from normal persons and lymphocytes from patients with Hodgkin's disease and other malignant lymphomas. Lymphocytes isolated from tonsils of patients undergoing tonsillectomy and from axillary lymph nodes of breast cancer patients exhibited approximately 30% of cells with caps, which is identical with the cap formation ability of normal lymphocytes. In biopsy material from patients with Hodgkin's disease and other malignant lymphomas, a significant decrease in the ability of the lymphocytes to form caps was observed. This difference in the mobility of Con A sites was even more pronounced in lymphocytes isolated from the peripheral blood. In 123 patients with Hodgkin's disease and other malignant lymphomas, cap formation ranged between 3 and 12%. The ability of cells, from a normal donor or a lymphoma patient, to form caps was independent of the source from which the lymphocytes were isolated, e.g., lymph node, spleen, or blood. Lymphocytes from patients with lymphoma were also agglutinated by Con A to a higher degree than normal lymphocytes. These findings are discussed in relation to the association of the lymphocytes with these malignancies and as a possible aid in their differential diagnosis.
Biogenesis of membrane lipids: mutants of Escherichia coli with temperature-sensitive phosphatidylserine decarboxylase.
Authors: Hawrot E , Kennedy E P
Published: May 2006

Phosphatidylserine decarboxylase catalyzes the last step in the pathway leading to phosphatidylethanolamine, the principal membrane lipid of E. coli. Mutants of E. coli have now been isolated in which this enzyme is theramolabile. The structural gene for phosphatidylserine decarboxylase (psd gene) is closely linked to the pur A locus at about 83 min on the standard map of the E. coli chromosome. When a mutant with thermolabile decarboxylase is incubated at 42 degrees, growth ceases, but only after a substantial fraction (20-40%) of the total phospholipid of the cell has been replaced by phosphatidylserine. Examination of such mutants with altered content of phospholipids may shed light on the role of specific phospholipids in membrane function.
The relationship between enzyme activity, cell geometry, and fitness in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Authors: Weiss R L , Kukora J R , Adams J
Published: May 2006

The relationship between enzyme activity, cell geometry, and the ploidy levels has been investigated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Diploid cells have 1.57 times the volume of haploid cells under nonlimiting growth conditions (minimal medium). However, when diploid cells are grown under conditions of carbon limitation, they have the same volume as haploid cells. Thus, by altering the environmental conditions, cell size can be varied independently of the degree of ploidy. The results indicate that the basic biochemical parameters of the cell are primarily determined by cell geometry rather than ploidy level. RNA content, protein content, and ornithine transcarbamylase (carbamoylphosphate: L-ornithine carbamoyltransferase, EC 2.1.3.3), tryptophan synthetase [L-serine hydro-lyase (adding indole), EC 4.2.1.20], and invertase (alpha-D-glucoside glucohydrolase, Ec 3.2.1.20) activity are related to cell volume, whereas acid phosphatase (orthophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.2) activity, a cell surface enzyme, is related to the surface area of the cells. Fitness is determined by the activity of certain cell surface enzymes, such as acid phosphatase, diploids would be expected to have a lower fitness than haploids because of the lower surface area/volume ratio. However, when fitness is determined by the activity of an internal enzyme, diploids would be expected to have the same fitness as haploids. Results from competition experiments between haploids and diploids are consistent with these predictions. The significance of these results to the evolution of diploidy as the predominant phase of the life cycle of higher plants and animals is discussed.
Relative numbers of human globin genes assayed with purified alpha and beta complementary human DNA.
Authors: Ramirez F , Natta C , O'Donnell J V , Canale V , Bailey G , Sanguensermsri T , Maniatis G M , Marks P A , Bank A
Published: May 2006

Purified alpha and beta globin complementary DNAs (cDNAs) have been separated from total radioactively labeled human globin cDNA using mRNA purified from liver of a hydrops fetalis (alpha thalassemia). The beta cDNA hybridizes to the hydrops fetalis mRNA while the alpha cDNA remains single-stranded. the purified alpha and beta cDNAs were assayed for their purity by their hybridization to mRNA prepared from reticulocytes of nonthalassemia, alpha thalassemia, and beta thalassemia subjects. The results indicate that the separated cDNAs are selective in hybridization to alpha or beta globin mRNAs, respectively. The previously reported deficiency of globin mRNA in thalassemia cells has been confirmed with these purified cDNAs. The purified alpha and beta cDNAs were hybridized to cellular DNA to non-thalassemia, beta+ thalassemia, and hydrops fetalis (alpha thalassemia) DNA. The alpha cDNA hybridized to hydrops fetalis liver DNA to a much lower extent that beta cDNA, confirming the previously reported deletion of alpha globin genes in hydrops fetalis. By contrast, both the alpha and beta DNA probes hybridized to the same extent to spleen DNA from non-thalassemia and from beta+ thalassemia patients. Between two and five globin genes in non-thalassemia and beta+ thalassemia DNA hybridize to beta cDNA and one to five to alpha cDNA. These studies indicate that in beta+ thalassemia, there is no detectable deletion in beta globin genes. The genetic defect in beta+ thalassemia appears to be due to either repression of transcription of beta globin genes or abnormal processing of beta globin mRNA.
Induction of growth in resting fibroblastic cell cultures by Ca++.
Authors: Dulbecco R , Elkington J
Published: May 2006

Of all the components of the culture medium, only CaCl2 induces DNA replication when added to resting cultures of Balb/c 3T3 cells. The effect is present even in a serum-free medium. Increasing the Ca++ concentration above the standard 1.8 mM in the medium of a new culture increases the total number of cells ultimately produced, without affecting the initial cell growth rate. This effect is synergistic with that of serum. The elevated Ca++ concentration also induces striking morphological changes. The Ca++ effect could not be reproduced by a Ca++ ionophore. These observations afford a new tool for studying how the various intracellular events following the addition of growth factors to resting cultures are involved in the control of cellular growth.
Highly asymmetric transcription by RNA polymerase containing phage-SP01-induced polypeptides and a new host protein.
Authors: Pero J , Nelson J , Fox T D
Published: May 2006

An RNA polymerase (nucleosidetriphosphate:RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6) has been purified from phage-SP01-infected Bacillus subtilis that copies RNA almost exclusively from the heavy strand of native SP01 DNA, the DNA strand from which "middle" and "late" classes of RNA are copied in vivo. Hybridization-competition established that this RNA polymerase termed enzyme A, preferentially synthesizes middle RNA in vitro. Enzyme A contains beta',beta, alpha, and two newly identified host polypeptides, variation of (21,500 daltons) and omega (11,000 daltons). All of these polypeptides are associated with highly purified RNA polymerase from uninfected bacteria. In addition, enzyme A contains phage-induced subunits of 26,000, 24,000, and 13,500 daltons. Enzyme A lacks sigma polypeptide, and strand-selective transcription by this enzyme is resistant to anti-sigma antibody. A reconstitution experiment strongly suggests that the host variation of protein is required in addition to a phage-induced subunit(s) (or an unidentified phage-induced modification) for strand-selective transcription of SP01 middle genes in vitro.