Furan fatty acid steryl esters from the marine spongeDictyonella incisa which show inflammatory activity

Summary Three new furan fatty acids, (9Z, 19Z)-3, 6-epoxyhexacosa-3,5,19-tetraenoic acid (1a), (8Z, 11Z, 14Z, 17Z)-3, 6-epoxyeicosa-3,5,8,11,14,17-hexaenoic acid (2a), and (8Z, 11Z, 14Z, 17E)-3, 6-epoxyeicosa-3,5,8,11,14,17-hexaenoic acid (3a), and a new polyunsaturated fatty acid (5Z, 8Z, 11Z, 14Z, 17E)-eicosa-5,8,11,14,17-pentaenoic acid (6a), present in the spongeDictyonella incisa as the respective steryl esters, have been isolated as methyl esters and their structures have been determined by spectral and chemical analysis. The furan fatty acid esters have shown a high inflammatory activity, which suggests their potential role as feeding deterrents.     

Mid-anaphase arrest in S. cerevisiae cells eliminated for the function of Cin8 and dynein

S. cerevisiae anaphase spindle elongation is accomplished by the overlapping function of dynein and the kinesin-5 motor proteins, Cin8 and Kip1. Cin8 and dynein are synthetically lethal, yet the arrest phenotypes of cells eliminated for their function had not been identified. We found that at a non-permissive temperature, dyn1Δ cells that carry a temperature-sensitive cin8 – 3 mutation arrest at mid-anaphase with a unique phenotype, which we named TAN (two microtubule asters in one nucleus). These cells enter anaphase, but fail to proceed through the slow phase of anaphase B. At a permissive temperature, dyn1Δ, cin8 – 3 or dyn1Δcin8 – 3 cells exhibit perturbed spindle midzone morphologies, with dyn1Δcin8 – 3 anaphase spindles also being profoundly bent and nonrigid. Sorbitol, which has been suggested to stabilize microtubules, corrects these defects and suppresses the TAN phenotype. We conclude that dynein and Cin8 cooperate in anaphase midzone organization and influence microtubule dynamics, thus enabling progression through the slow phase of anaphase B. Received 10 August 2008; received after revision 22 October 2008; accepted 27 October 2008     

ω10-Lipoxygenase products of α-linolenic acid are esterified to phospholipids inHydra vulgaris

We have recently reported the occurrence of 9(R)-hydroxy-, 9(R)-hydroperoxy- and 9-keto-octadeca-10E,12Z,15Z-trienoic acids (9-HOTrE, 9-HPOTrE and 9-KOTrE) inHydra vulgaris, and their biosynthesis from -linolenic acid (-LA) through the action of an enantioselective 10(R)-lipoxygenase (10-LO). Here we describe the finding of these -LA metabolites as esters to the 2-position of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and, in trace amounts, phosphatidylinositol. Small amounts of a compound co-eluting with an authentic standard of 9(R)-hydroxy-octadeca-10E,12Z-dienoic acid, a metabolite potentially derived from the action of 10-LO on linoleic acid, were also found esterified with phospholipids. Since direct peroxidation of membrane lipids has been described, experiments were aimed at establishing whether -LA metabolite-containing phospholipids could originate, inH. vulgaris, from either spontaneous or 10-LO-catalyzed oxidation of phospholipid-bound -LA. Incubation of either unlabelled or radiolabelled PUFA-containing phosphoglycerides withH. vulgaris 10-LO did not result in their peroxidation. This suggests that -LA and LA metabolites are incorporated into glycerophospholipids after their formation by 10-LO, and that, as in mamals, membrane phospholipids may serve as a reservoir for these bioactive compounds. This is the first example in an invertebrate species of lipoxygenase products esterified to phosphoglycerides.     

Wirkung von isomeren Hexachlorocyclohexanen auf das Wachstum vonPisumwurzeln in steriler Organkultur

Summary (1) A specific response of pea roots in sterile culture to gammexane (-hexachlorocyclohexane) has been observed; the-isomer is inactive. Slow concentrations (10/ml) of gammexane inhibit the growth-rate of pea roots in a fairly high degree. 1/ml does not influence the growth.(2) i-inositol—even in high concentration (60 i-inositol to 6 gammexane) does not show any antigammexane activity. Corresponding to the results obtained bySchopfer, Posternak and Miss Boss we could not find any direct correspondence between gammexane and i-inositol as it has been postulated bySlade. Any conclusions about spacial configuration of gammexane based upon biological investigations would be premature.     

The distribution of some enzymes involved in the steroidogenesis of hen's ovary

Riassunto È stata studiata con metodi istochimici la distribuzione della ⁵-3-idrossisteroide deidrogenasi ( ⁵-3-HSDH) e delle 17-idrossisteroide deidrogenasi (17-HSDH), DPN- e TPN-dipendenti, nell'ovario di gallina ovulante. Mentre la ⁵-3-HSDH è presente in tutti i tessuti a secrezione steroide dell'ovario, la 17-HSDH è localizzata solo nelle cellule della granulosa.     

Sex attractant inhibitors of the codling mothLaspeyresia pomonella L.

Zusammenfassung Die Anlockung von Männchen des Apfelwicklers (Laspeyresia pomonella L.) mittrans-8,trans-10-Dodecadien-1-ol (Codlemone) oder mit lebenden Weibchen wird durch verschiedene Analoge des Sexuallockstoffs gehemmt. Starke Inhibitorwirkung zeigtecis-8-Dodecenylacetat. Der graue Knospenwickler,Hedya nubiferana Haw., der ebenfalls durch Codlemone angelockt wird, reagiert spezifisch auf weitere Inhibitoren.     

Un cas nouveau de chromosomes sexuels multiples dans le genreGerbillus (Rodential - Muridae - Gerbillinae)

Summary 4 species of the genusGerbillus have been studied by the author; two belong to the usual schemeX-Y, X-X, two are provided with multiple sex-chromosomes.Gerbillus gerbillus shows at the first metaphase a sexual trivalentX-Y ₁ Y ₂ and 20 autosomal bivalents. The diploïd number is 43. As expected, there is two types of metaphases II, with 21 and 22 elements respectively. The diploid number of the is 42 (twoX).     

Polymethylcyclohexylamine — neue,hypotensiv wirksame substanzen

Summary A series of cyclohexylamine derivatives methylated both on nitrogen atom and in position 1, 2 and 6 of the cyclohexane ring have been prepared. Some of them showed considerable hypotensive and ganglioplegic activity. The most interesting compound is N,N,1,2,2-pentamethylcyclohexylamine (‘penhexamine’) whose activity compares favourably with mecamylamine or dimecamine.

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9. MitteilungGanglioplegica, 8. Mitteilung siehe Českoslov. farm:8 (1959), im Druck.     

Instar-specific defensive secretions of stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Defensive secretions (allomones) from first-instar nymphs of stink bugs in the subfamily Pentatominae contain (E)-4-oxo-2-decenal as a major constituent, whereas this compound is absent from later instars. In contrast, first instars ofEdessa meditabunda (Edessinae) produce allomones like those of later instars. The C₆ and C₈ (E)-4-oxo-2-alkenals are common, characteristic exocrine compounds of nymphal and adult Heteroptera, but (E)-4-oxo-2-decenal is previously unknown as a major natural product for which a biological role has yet to be established.     

Zum Mechanismus derβ-Lysin-Mutase-Reaktion

Summary Using tritium labelled substrates it is shown that in the rearrangement of (S) --lysine to 3,5-diaminohexanoic acid catalysed by-lysine mutase a stereospecific hydrogen migration from C-5 to C-6 of the substrate occurs. When the reaction is carried out in the presence of [5-³H]-coenzyme B₁₂, the heavy isotope is transferred both to C-6 of 3, 5-diaminohexanoate and to C-5 of-lysine. In the latter the labelled atom occupies the same diastereotopic position as the H atom that is transferred to C-6 of the product.     

The boar-pheromone steroid identified in vegetables

Summary The steroid 5a-androst-16-en-3-one, known as a boar pheromone, was identified in parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) and celery (Apium graveolens). Concentrations are in the range of 8 ng/g plant.     

Die Veränderung des Stärke-, Protein- und RNS-Gehaltes vonLemna minor L. unter dem Einfluss von Kinetin (6-Furfurylaminopurin)

Summary Kinetin (6-furfurylaminopurine) is rapidly absorbed byLemna minor L. 3 · 10^–8 M/ml medium cause an immediate but temporary stimulation of RNA and protein synthesis during the first hour of the treatment. The following excessive accumulation of starch is considered to be more or less a direct consequence of a disturbed RNA and protein metabolism.     

Cell migration to the chemokine CXCL8: Paxillin is activated and regulates adhesion and cell motility

The chemokine CXCL8 is a powerful inducer of directional cell motility, primarily during inflammation. In this study, we found that CXCL8 stimulation led to paxillin phosphorylation in normal neutrophils, and that both CXCL8 receptors (CXCR1 and CXCR2) mediated CXCL8-induced paxillin phosphorylation. In CXCR2-transfected cells, the process depended on G_αi and G_αs coupling to CXCR2. Dominant negative (DN) paxillin increased CXCL8-induced adhesion and migration, indicating that endogenous paxillin keeps migration at submaximal levels. Furthermore, using activating antibodies to β1 integrins, analyses with focal adhesion kinase (FAK) DN variant (FRNK) and co-immunoprecipitations of FAK and paxillin, we found that β1 integrin ligation cooperates with CXCL8-induced stimulation, leading to FAK activation and thereafter to FAK-mediated paxillin phosphorylation. Our findings indicate that paxillin keeps directional motility at a restrained magnitude, and suggest that perturbations in its activation may lead to chemotactic imbalance and to pathological conditions associated with excessive or reduced leukocyte migration. R. Mintz, T. Meshel: These authors contributed equally to this work. Received 31 July 2008; received after revision 14 December 2008; accepted 16 December 2008     

Stimulation of gastric secretion by prostaglandin F2 α in rats

Summary In rats with chronic gastric fistulas, prostaglandin F₂ stimulated the gastric acid secretion in graded doses of 50. 100, 200 and 400 g/kg b. wt, while higher doses above 1 mg/kg b. wt tended to inhibit significantly. The gastric antisecretory effect of prostaglandin E₁ could not be altered or modified by subsequent treatment of prostaglandin F₂ , while the latter alone without any prior treatment of the former, stimulated output of gastric juice, HCl and pepsin without significantly affecting the concentration of these components.Acknowledgement. The gift of the prostaglandin E₁ and prostaglandin F₂ is acknowledged to Dr J.E. Pike, Upjohn, USA. This paper was read at the IXth Annual Conference of the Indian Pharmacological Society held at Benares (1976) and abstracted in the Indian J. Pharmac.9, 73 (1977).     

Role of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-linked polymannose oligosaccharides in targeting glycoproteins for endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation

Misfolded or incompletely assembled multisubunit glycoproteins undergo endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) regulated in large measure by their N-linked polymannose oligosaccharides. In this quality control system lectin interaction with Glc₃Man₉GlcNAc₂ glycans after trimming with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) -glucosidases and -mannosidases sorts out persistently unfolded glycoproteins for N-deglycosylation and proteolytic degradation. Monoglucosylated (Glc₁Man₉GlcNAc₂) glycoproteins take part in the calnexin/calreticulin glucosylation-deglucosylation cycle, while the Man₈GlcNAc₂ isomer B product of ER mannosidase I interacts with EDEM. Proteasomal degradation requires retrotranslocation into the cytosol through a Sec61 channel and deglycosylation by peptide: N-glycosidase (PNGase); in alternate models both PNGase and proteasomes may be either free in the cytosol or ER membrane-imbedded/attached. Numerous proteins appear to undergo nonproteasomal degradation in which deglycosylation and proteolysis take place in the ER lumen. The released free oligosaccharides (OS) are transported to the cytosol as OS-GlcNAc₂ along with similar components produced by the hydrolytic action of the oligosaccharyltransferase, where they together with OS from the proteasomal pathway are trimmed to Man₅GlcNAc₁ by the action of cytosolic endo--N-acetylglucosaminidase and -mannosidase before entering the lysosomes. Some misfolded glycoproteins can recycle between the ER, intermediate and Golgi compartments, where they are further processed before ERAD. Moreover, properly folded glycoproteins with mannose-trimmed glycans can be deglucosylated in the Golgi by endomannosidase, thereby releasing calreticulin and permitting formation of complex OS. A number of regulatory controls have been described, including the glucosidase-glucosyltransferase shuttle, which controls the level of Glc₃Man₉GlcNAc₂-P-P-Dol, and the unfolded protein response, which enhances synthesis of components of the quality control system.Received 26 January 2004; accepted 25 February 2004     

Chemical attraction of the eastern yellowjacket,Vespula maculifrons (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Summary Workers and queens of the eastern yellowjacket,Vespula maculifrons, are attracted to the artificial long-range attractant pheromone of the predaceous pentatomid,Podisus maculiventris. A 11 mixture of linalool or -terpineol and (E)-2-hexenal is as attractive toV. maculifrons workers as the pheromone.We thank A.S. Menke of the Systematic Entomology Laboratory, USDA, for identifying the yellowjackets. Mention of a company name does not imply endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture.     

Protective effect of Shigyaku-to,a traditional Chinese herbal medicine,on the infection of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in mice

The antiviral activity of Shigyaku-to (TJS-109), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, was investigated in mice infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). TJS-109 is a combination of the medicinal plant extracts fromZingiberis siccatum rhizoma,Aconiti tuber andGlycyrrhizae radix in a specific proportion. Mice infected with a 10 LD₅₀ dose of HSV-1 were treated with TJS-109 orally at doses of 1.25 to 20 mg/kg 2 days before, and 1 and 4 days after the infection. The treated groups had 80% (1.25 mg/kg), 40% (5 mg/kg) and 23% (20 mg/kg) mortality rates 25 days after the infection as compared with a 100% mortality rate in control mice treated with saline. When HSV-1 infected mice (recipients) received CD8⁺T cell fractions derived from spleens of mice treated with TJS-109 (donors), 70% of recipients survived, as compared with 0% survivors in the groups of mice treated with saline, B cell fractions, CD4⁺ T cell fractions or macrophage-enriched fractions prepared from the same donors. TJS-109 did not show any virucidal activities against HSV-1 or any virostatic activities on the growth of HSV-1 in Vero cells. These results suggest that TJS-109 protected mice exposed to lethal amounts of HSV-1 through the activation of CD8⁺ T cells.     

Dissociation-constants of metal-ion-complexes with alkaline phosphatase from pig kidney

Summary Using metal-ion buffers it was possible to remove Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions of pig kidney alkaline phosphatase reversibly. The dissociation constants obtained are K_EMg:4·10^–7 M, K_EMn:4·10^–8 M and K_EZn:8·10^–13 M (22°C, pH:9.6, :0.07).Acknowledgement: The authors thank Dr.H. U. Wolf for helpful suggestions and valuable discussion and MissH. Köth for technical assistance.