Presence of calcium ions as a requisite for the in vitro stimulation of TSH-release by hypothalamic TRF

Résumé L'incubation in vitro de fragments d'hypophyse (rat) dans le liquide de Krebs-Ringer sans calcium (Ca⁺⁺) inhibe l'action du facteur hypothalamique TRF (TSH-releasing factor) qui normalement stimule la sécrétion de l'hormone thyréotrope (TSH). La ré-introduction de l'ion Ca⁺⁺ (2.54 mM) rétablit la réponse (sécrétion de TSH) au facteur TRF.

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Supported by USPHS research grants Nos. AM 08290.04, HD 02577.01, training grant No. GM 956.04; also No. FR 00254 to Common Research Computer Facility, Texas Medical Center. We are pleased to acknowledge the excellent assistance of Mrs.Nancy Pace in the assays involved here.     

Differences in the stimulation by calcium ionophore of juvenile hormone III release from corpora allata of solitarious and gregariousLocusta migratoria

Summary Incubation of the calcium ionophore A23187 resulted in an increase in the median rate of juvenile hormone III release by corpora allata (CA) of both gregarious and solitarious adultLocusta migratoria females at 3, 5 and 8 days after fledging. At all 3 datapoints, the enhancement of release rates was highly significant for CA from gregarious females but not significant for CA from solitarious females.     

Sulfhydryl oxidation induces calcium release from fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum even in the presence of glutathione

Alcian blue and plumbagin induced transient Ca²⁺ release from fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum. Dithiothreitol (DTT) and glutathione (GSH) partially blocked Ca²⁺ release induced by these oxidizing compounds. Pretreatment of alcian blue and plumbagin with DTT or GSH for more than 1 min was required to abolish the ability of the oxidizing compounds to release Ca²⁺. Mg²⁺ and ruthenium red completely blocked alcian blue-and plumbagin-induced Ca²⁺ release. These results suggest that oxidation of sulfhydryls on Ca²⁺ release channels induces Ca²⁺ release even in the presence of GSH in situ.     

Reciprocal changes in serum free thyroxine fraction and thyrotropin level after administration of thiocyanate to rats

Summary The administration of thiocyanate to rats caused a significant increase of serum free thyroxine fraction, which coincided with the significant decrease of TSH level. The other components (AFT₄, T₄, T₃) in serum at this time were decreased or unchanged. The finding suggests the role of free thyroxine fraction in feed-back regulation of TSH secretion.Acknowledgment. We thank Dr A. Parlow and the NIAMDD, Rat Pituitary Hormone Distribution Program, for material for rat TSH immunoassay; Dr J. Nauman (Inst. Postgrad. Med., Warsaw, Poland) for T₃ antibody, and to Ing. J. Sadlo, Mrs M. t'astná and Miss R Fajkoová for technical assistance.     

Enhanced inhibition of RNA synthesis by amanitins in in vitro cultured cells.

The inhibition of RNA synthesis by alpha-amanitin on in vitro cultured cells is very slow. The action of various analogueoreover pretreatment of cell cultures with DEAE-dextran greatly enhanced the effect of beta-amanitin.     

Evidence for in vitro release of neurophysin by the rat pineal gland

Summary Cultured pineal ependymal cells from rat fetuses release into their incubation media immunoreactive neurophysin. The presence of neurophysin was assessed by radioimmunoassay. The culture medium was found to contain 440 pg neurophysin per mg protein.     

In vitro inhibition of catalase by ovomucoid

Riassunto L'ovomucoide acquista spiccata attività anticatalasica dopo ebollizione. L'ovomucoide attivo dopo liofilizzazione o precipitazione alcoolica diviene inattivo; l'attività viene ripristinata con nuova ebollizione. L'ovomucoide attivo anche dopo dialisi perde l'attività che viene riacquistata con l'aggiunta di sali e successiva ebollizione. L'attività anticatalasica è dovuta ad una nuova configurazione instabile dell'ovomucoide.     

Protective effect of calcium against the verapamil-induced inhibition of ionophore-mediated calcium translocation.

The inhibitory effect of verapamil on A23187-mediated calcium translocation is antagonized in a competitive manner by increasing concentrations of calcium.     

Effects of thyrotropin and thiouracil on embryonic chick thyroidin vitro

Zusammenfassung Schilddrüsenanlagen von Hühnerembryonen, in Ambinon-Medium kultiviert, entwickeln sich schneller und zeigen beschleunigte intrafollikuläre Kolloidbildung. Mit Thiourazil behandelte Kulturen liessen retardierte Follikelbildung und Kolloidbildung erkennen.     

Thein vitro inhibition of pentobarbital metabolism by chlorpromazine

Riassunto Si è osservato che il pentobarbital alla concentrazione di 2 × 10^–4 M può inibire per il 44% il metabolismoin vitro della cloropromazina alla medesima concentrazione.Si è discussa quindi la possibilità di inibire il metabolismoin vitro di alcuni farmaci propria di altre sostanze che vengono metabolizzate in maniera del tutto simile da sistemi enzimatici a livello microsomale epatico.     

The inhibition of amphibian ovulation in vitro by cytochalasin B

Zusammenfassung Cytochalasin B (5 g/ml) verhindert in vitro vollständig die inRana pipiens undHyla regilla durch Gonadotropinbehandlung stimulierte Ovulation, während die Meiose weiter abläuft. Diese Resultate werden mit früheren Beobachtungen einer ähnlichen Empfindlichkeit der Follikelzellenbewegung bei Seesternen verglichen. Ein für Echinodermen und niedere Wirbeltiere gemeinsamer Follikelmechanismus für die Austreibung des Ovarialeies aus dem Ovar wird vorgeschlagen.

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Supported by funds provided for biological and medical research by State of Washington Initiative Measure No. 171. The competent assistance ofP. Pendergrass andM. Vandenbark is gratefully acknowledged.