Co-localization of molecules involved in antigen processing and presentation in an early endocytic compartment

The pathways of intracellular traffic involved in antigen processing and presentation have been defined by immunoelectron microscopy. The export pathway for class II histocompatibility molecules and the antigen import pathway meet in a peripheral endocytic compartment having all the molecular machinery believed to be required for antigen processing and presentation, including internalized surface immunoglobulins, proteolytic enzymes and invariant chains. This compartment defines a site where peptides from endocytosed antigen can bind class II molecules en route to the cell surface for presentation to T cells.     

Integrin antagonists

Integrins are a family of cell surface glycoproteins that mediate numerous cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions and are involved in biological processes such as tissue morphogenesis, leukocyte recirculation and migration, wound healing, blood clotting and immune response. Aberrant cell adhesion has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including a number of inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and asthma, as well as cancer and coronary heart disease. As such integrins are seen as excellent targets for the development of therapeutic agents. This report begins with an examination of the structure of integrin molecules and their ligands and then goes on to review the current state of development of antiintegrin antagonists. Received 13 April 1999; received after revision 28 May 1999; accepted 28 May 1999     

Depressor effects of muscarinic and non-muscarinic mediation induced by lateral hypothalamic stimulation in the rat

Summary Transient sympathetically-mediated depressor effects were induced by stimulation of a small locus in the lateral hypothalamic peri-fornical region, medial to the fields of Forel. The ganglionic blocking agent, atropine methyl nitrate (ATMN), was used to show that muscarinic as well as non-muscarinic sympathetic ganglion receptor neurotransmission was involved. Evidence is presented that stimulation of this LH site co-activates a number of mechanisms and that depending on which of these are activated, the ganglionic blocking agent ATMN may either block, reverse or potentiate the depressor effect.     

Glycerol monoethers in the scent gland secretions of the western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox; Serpentes,Crotalinae)

Summary 1-O-Monoalkylglycerols with C₁₂ to C₂₀ chains were identified in the scent, gland secretions of the western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox). This is the first documentation of these compounds in the skin secretions of a reptile.     

Depressor effects of muscarinic and non-muscarinic mediation induced by lateral hypothalamic stimulation in the cat

Transient sympathetically-mediated depressor effects were induced by stimulation of a small locus in the lateral hypothalamic peri-fornical region, medial to the fields of Forel. The ganglionic blocking agent, atropine methyl nitrate (ATMN), was used to show that muscarinic as well as non-muscarinic sympathetic ganglion receptor neurotransmission was involved. Evidence is presented that stimulation of this LH site co-activates a number of mechanisms and that depending on which of these are activated, the ganglionic blocking agent ATMN may either block, reverse or potentiate the depressor effect.     

o-Aminoacetophenone,a pheromone that repels honeybees (Apis mellifera L.)

Summary o-Aminoacetophenone is a pheromone produced by virgin honeybee queens and released with feces. In small social groups, the pheromone repels and is used to terminate agonistic interactions between queens and workers.     

ß-(p-hydroxyphenyl) ethanol in the chest gland secretion of a galago (Galago crassicaudatus)

Summary ß-(p-hydroxyphenyl)ethanol is present in the chest gland secretion of the galago Galago crassicaudatus.     

o-Aminoacetophenone: Identification in a primitive fungus-growing ant (Mycocepurus goeldii)

Summary o-Aminoacetophenone is the major volatile product present in the mandibular gland secretion of the primitive fungus-growing antMycocepurus goeldii. This novel arthropod natural product is biosynthetically far removed from the aliphatic ketones and alcohols found in those genera of the tribe Attini that represent the main line of evolution. The divergent phylogenetic position ofMycocepurus, and possibly of other closely related genera, is emphasized.Deceased     

Regional brain [Met]-enkephalin in alcohol-preferring and non-alcohol-preferring inbred strains of mice

Scrutiny of the data from these studies reveals that the C58/J alcohol-preferring mice have significantly lower baseline methionine-enkephalin levels in both the corpus striatum and hypothalamus compared to C3H/CHRGL/2 non-alcohol-preferring mice. In other brain regions in these two strains, specifically, pituitary, amygdala, midbrain, and hippocampus, analysis of methionine-enkephalin levels did not show any significant differences. This suggests that the hypothalamus may indeed be a specific locus involved in the regulation of alcohol intake, via the molecular interaction between neuroamines, opioid peptides, as they are influenced by genetics and environment.