Cloning and analysis of [NiFe]-hydrogenase genes from Arthrospira platensis FACHB341

0IntroductionHydrogenase(H2ase)has beeninvestigatedin a va-riety of bacterial groups since it was firstly reported in1931[1-3].Cyanobacteria contain two different types ofH2ase,uptake H2ase(EC1.12.7.2)and bidirectional orreversible H2ase(EC1.12.1.12).Uptake H2ase is in-duced under N2-fixing situation,mainly confinedin hete-rocysts.Bidirectional H2ase is constitutively synthesized,active in both heterocysts and vegetative cells present inboth N2-fixing and non-N2-fixing conditions.This en…     

Dopamine-induced relaxation in human pulmonary arteries

Dose-dependent relaxations were induced by dopamine in human pulmonary arteries that had been contracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha without alpha-adrenergic blocking agents. The dopamine-induced relaxation was inhibited by haloperidol and fluphenazine, but not by domperidone, suggesting that this relaxation was mediated via DA1 receptors.     

Scavenger receptor family proteins: roles for atherosclerosis, host defence and disorders of the central nervous system

In this review, we summarize the structure and function of the scavenger receptor family of proteins including class A (type I and II macrophage scavenger receptors, MARCO), class B (CD36, scavenger receptor class BI), mucinlike (CD68/macrosialin, dSR-CI) and endothelial (LOX-1) receptors. Two motifs have been identified as ligand-binding domains a charged collagen structure of type I and II receptors, and an immunodominant domain of CD36. These structures can recognize a wide range of negatively charged macromolecules, including oxidized low-density lipoproteins, damaged or apoptotic cells, and pathogenic microorganisms. After binding, these ligands can be either internalized by endocytosis or phagocytosis, or remain at the cell surface and mediate adhesion or lipid transfer through caveolae. Under physiological conditions, scavenger receptors serve to scavenge or clean up cellular debris and other related materials, and they play a role in host defence. In pathological states, they mediate the recruitment, activation and transformation of macrophages and other cells which may be related to the development of atherosclerosis and to disorders caused by the accumulation of denatured materials, such as Alzheimer's disease. Received 17 September 1997; received after revision 16 March 1998; accepted 17 March 1998     

Porcine diacylglycerol kinase sequence has zinc finger and E-F hand motifs

Cell stimulation causes diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) to convert the second messenger diacylglycerol into phosphatidate, thus initiating the resynthesis of phosphatidylinositols and attenuating protein kinase C activity. Of the DGK isoforms so far reported, only porcine DGK from lymphocytes has been characterized in detail. Here we report the isolation and sequencing of complementary DNA clones that together cover the entire region encoding porcine DGK (relative molecular mass 80,000 (80K)). The deduced primary structure of this DGK contains the putative ATP-binding sites, two cysteine-rich zinc finger-like sequences similar to those found in protein kinase C, and two E-F hand motifs, typical of Ca2(+)-binding proteins like calmodulin. Indeed, we find that the activity of this DGK isoform is enhanced by micromolar concentrations of Ca2+ in the presence of deoxycholate or sphingosine. These properties of 80K DGK indicate that its action is probably linked with both of the second messengers diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate.     

Research Articles¶Naturally occurring 2′-O-methylpurine nucleosides with hypotensive properties

2′-O-Methylinosine (1) has been isolated for the first time and shown to be an intrinsic hypotensive principle. Its probable in vivo precursor, 2′-O-methyladenosine (3), showed stronger and even orally potent hypotensive activity. Resistance of the methyladenosine (3) against adenosine deaminase is thought to contribute to its long-lasting activity. The effect of both nucleosides (1 and 3) was not accompanied with any significant change in heart rate, which is often observed with adenosine. Received 2 October 1997; accepted 28 October 1997     

Synthetic simulation of nonribosomal peptide biosynthesis. A dual role of alkylthiol esters in peptide synthesis

Summary Coupling of peptide alkylthiol esters with amino acid derivatives in the presence of pivalic acid or 2-hydroxypyridine proceeds without racemization. A dual role of alkylthiol esters as protective and reactive functions in peptide synthesis was well proved.     

Induction of specific differentiation by samples of proteins and nucleoproteins in the isolated ectoderm ofTriturus-gastrulae

Zusammenfassung Ein Präparat von Ribonukleoproteiden der Meerschweinchenleber induziert im isolierten Ektoderm der jungen Gastrula vonTriturus pyrrhogaster archenzephale und deuterenzephale Strukturen. Die Induktionsfähigkeit des Präparates bleibt unverändert nach der Reinigung durch Ultrazentrifugierung oder nach der Entfernung von Ribonukleinsäure mit Ribonuklease. Anderseits kann die Behandlung des Präparates mit Pepsin und Trypsin die Induktionsfähigkeit progressiv und weitgehend inaktivieren. Mit Präparaten von Ribonukleoproteiden der Meerschweinchenniere werden spino-caudale oder deuterenzephale, aber keine archenzephalen Differenzierungen im Ektoderm ausgelöst. Die Induktion der rumpfmesodermalen Strukturen im Ektoderm durch das Meerschweinchenknochenmark ist mit dem bei pH 4,7 ausfällbaren Anteil der überstehenden Flüssigkeit nach der Ultrazentrifugierung des Extraktes verbunden, und nicht mit der Mikrosomenfraktion, wie das in der Leber und Niere der Fall ist. Die qualitative Veränderung der induktiven Fähigkeiten, die das Knochenmark während der progressiven Hitzebehandlung erfährt, wird analysiert und ihre theoretische Bedeutung kurz diskutiert.     

Morphogenetic effects of centrifugation on the isolated ectoderm and whole embryo of some anurans

Zusammenfassung Zentrifugierung der Froschkeime gerade vor oder am ersten Anfang der Gastrulation bringt bekanntlich ein sekundäres axiales System an der ventralen oder lateralen Flanke der Embryonen hervor. Um die Annahme zu prüfen, dass diese spino-kaudalen Gebilde aus dem präsumptiven Ektoderm durch eine direkte Wirkung der Zentrifugierung hervorgehen, wurde isoliertes, präsumptives Ektoderm unter den genau kontrollierten Bedingungen zentrifugiert und gezüchtet. Die Isolate differenzierten Epidermis und Haftdrüsenzellen, aber kein axiales Gewebe. Subzytolytische Behandlung des isolierten, präsumptiven Ektoderms der jungen Gastrulae brachte unorganisierte Neuralgewebe oder archenkephale Gebilde, aber kein spino-kaudales Gewebe hervor. Also gaben die beiden Versuchsreihen keine Unterstützung für die oben genannte Annahme.

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Supported by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, the Scientific Research Found of the Ministry of Education, and the Asahi Grant for Scientific Research.     

Plasma adenosine concentrations are elevated in Dahl salt-sensitive rats

We measured plasma levels of adenosine in Dahl salt-sensitive rats (DS) and Dahl salt-resistant rats (DR) to examine the potential role of adenosine in cardiovascular regulation in this type of hypertension. Plasma adenosine concentrations were significantly higher in DS than in DR. The NaCl content in the diet did not affect plasma adenosine concentration in either DS or DR. Significant positive correlation was found between adenosine concentrations and systolic blood pressure when the data for DS and DR were analyzed together. These results suggest that adenosine may play an important role in the pathophysiology of hypertension in DS.